Information processing system, hand held cellular phone, and information processing method

ABSTRACT

An information processing system comprises an information providing medium that stores electronic parts capable of reading information in an electromagnetic or optical manner, the information providing medium parts being attached to an entity in order to provide information associated with the entity; a hand held terminal device having an information read function that reads information from the information providing medium electronic parts in an electromagnetic or optical manner and record the information; and an information processing unit for retrieving reading and processing the information recorded in the hand held terminal device; wherein the information providing medium is inconspicuously attached to the entity. In this manner, the information can be recorded into the hand held terminal for later use by a user. In this way, in a case where an information user attempts to obtain information associated with an entity, such as commodity or advertising material, the information can be electronically recorded momentously and processed.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/652,150 filed on Aug. 31, 2000, the parent application beingincorporated in its entirety by reference. continuation of reissueapplication Ser. No. 12/588,403 filed on Oct. 14, 2009; which is areissue application of application Ser. No. 11/252,722 filed on Oct. 19,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,988; which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 09/665,667 filed on Sep. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,458,514, the entirety of which being incorporated herein byreference. The present application claims priority based on JapanesePatent Application No. 11-268927 filed on Sep. 22, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing system, ahand held cellular phone, and an information processing methodpreferably applied to an electronic advertising system, a commodityselling system, a commodity information providing system, a foodinformation providing system, a recording medium information providingsystem, a commodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system orthe like.

In detail, an information providing medium is attached to an entity(article or material) such as commodity or advertising material, and ahand held terminal device with its information read function is providedso as to be possessed by each of the individual information users. Inthe case where the information user attempts to obtain informationassociated with its entity, the information can be electrically storedin a hand held terminal device momentously, and the information can beread from the hand held terminal device to the information processingunit, whereby the information associated with its entity can beprocessed by the information processing unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, it is often that posters such as resort guide,employment guide, or event guide are presented at station concourse, andsuspension advertisements of these guides are presented in train. In thecase where one attempts to obtain a contact of an advertisement materialof interest by seeing these posters or suspension advertisements, it isgenerally often that one learns the information by heart or writes it bypaper and pen or pencil. In this case, if a large amount of informationis provided, it takes long to write the information.

In the meantime, according to an information processing method of aconventional system, in the case where one can look at an advertisingmaterial carefully, for example, in the case where one sees anadvertising material of interest at station concourse on the way ofcommutation, it is generally often that one must write the informationsuch as address or contact associated with that advertising material byusing pen or pencil, and such writing is very cumbersome. In particular,an E-mail address prepared to provide direct access to companiesassociated with that advertising material contains 30 to 50 charactersor signs, thus making it difficult to precisely learn them by heartonce. When the written memorandum is lost, there is a problem that onemust rewrite the same information from its advertising material(hereinafter, referred to as “entity”) after one has dropped there.

In addition, when there occurs a case where so called brand commoditiessuch as handbag, bag, or shoes is discriminated from counterfeit, it isdiscriminated by its sewing manner or buttons as whether the commoditiesare genuineness or counterfeit. However, a very high skill is requiredfor such discrimination. Therefore, if no countermeasure is taken inadvanced information processing technology, there is a problem that thedamages of genuine commodity manufacturers is remarkably high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in order to solve such conventionalproblems. It is an object of the present invention to provide aninformation processing system, a hand held cellular phone, and aninformation processing method for, in the case where an information userattempts to obtain information associated with an entity such ascommodities or advertising materials, making it possible to electricallyrecord the information momentously and then, making it possible toprocess the information.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, there is provided aninformation processing system comprising: an information providingmedium capable of reading information in an electromagnetic or opticalmanner, the information providing medium being attached to an entity inorder to provide information associated with the entity; an hand heldterminal device with its information read function for readinginformation in an electromagnetic or optical manner from thisinformation providing medium and recording the information therein; andan information processing unit for reading the information recorded inthe hand held terminal device and processing the information.

An information processing system according to the present invention ischaracterized in that an information capable of reading information inan electromagnetic or optical manner is attached to an entity such ascommodities or advertising materials by the information provider. Theinformation user uses a hand held terminal device with its informationread function as required, wherein information is read from theinformation providing medium in an electromagnetic or optical manner,and is recorded. Then, the information read from the hand held terminaldevice is processed by an information processing unit to be convertedinto information of audible type, for example.

Therefore, in the case where one cannot look at an entity such ascommodities or advertising materials carefully, for example, in the casewhere one sees an advertisement at station concourse on the way ofcommutation, information such as address or contact associated with itsentity can be electronically stored momentously in a hand held terminaldevice even if the information is not written by pen or pencil. Thus,the information associated with the entity read at home from the handheld terminal device to an information processing unit, one can look atthe information by using the information processing unit or can providedirect access to the company through Internet. The informationprocessing system can be fully applied to an electronic advertisingsystem, a commodity selling system, a commodity information providingsystem, a food information providing system, a recording mediuminformation providing system, an exhibition information providingsystem, a commodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system orthe like.

A hand held cellular phone according to the present invention isdirected to a cellular phone for reading information from an informationproviding medium attached to an entity and processing the information,the hand held cellular phone comprising: a telephone function;information read means for reading information associated with theentity from the information providing medium; and non-volatile storagemeans for storing the information read from the information read means.

A hand held cellular phone according to the present invention ischaracterized in that, in the case where information is read from aninformation providing medium attached to an entity, and is processed,for example, the hand held cellular phone is made close to theinformation providing medium, whereby an antenna body is coupled withthe information providing medium in an electromagnetic manner. Theinformation associated with the entity from this antenna body is readfrom the information read means, and this information is stored innon-volatile storage means.

Therefore, the information associated with the entity read from storagemeans can always be processed by utilizing a telephone function.

An information processing method according to the present invention ischaracterized in that an information providing medium capable of readinginformation in an electromagnetic or optical manner is, the attached toan article or material information providing medium providinginformation associated with the article or material; the information isread in an electromagnetic or optical manner from the informationproviding medium; and then, the recorded information is read andprocessed.

The information processing method according to the present invention ischaracterized in that, in the case where an information user attempts toobtain information associated with the entity, the information can beread momentously in an electromagnetic or optical manner. Moreover, theinformation associated with the entity can be utilized any time even ifthe information is written by pen or pencil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the following detailed description of the invention, taken inconjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an example of configuring aninformation processing system 10 according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a example of processing in theinformation processing system 10 according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring anelectronic advertising system 100 according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an imaginary view illustrating an example of the appearance ofinformation providing electronic parts 11;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting an example of an internalconfiguration of an IC chip 16 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an example of an internalconfiguration of an information reading display 12 according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 7A is a view showing an example of transmitting and receiving adata row concerning advertising information D01 during writing andreading;

FIG. 7B is an imaginary view showing an example of a data format of thedata row;

FIG. 8 is an imaginary view showing an example of processing in theelectronic advertising system 100 according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring acommodity selling system 200 according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing in thecommodity selling system 200;

FIG. 11 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring acommodity information providing system 300 according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing in thecommodity information providing system;

FIG. 13 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring a foodinformation providing system 400 according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing in thefood information providing system 400;

FIG. 15 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring arecording medium information providing system 500 according to a fifthembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing in arecording medium information providing system 500;

FIG. 17 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring anexhibition information providing system 600 according to a sixthembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing in theexhibition information providing system 600;

FIG. 19 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring acommodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system 700 accordingto a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing in thecommodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system 700;

FIG. 21 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring aninformation processing system 800 according to an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram depicting an example of configuring anoptical information reading display 22;

FIG. 23 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring aninformation processing system 900 according to a ninth embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram depicting an example of configuring amagnetic information reading display 32;

FIG. 25A is an imaginary view showing an example of the appearance of ahand held cellular phone 401 with its information reading displayfunction according to a tenth embodiment;

FIG. 25B is an imaginary view showing an example of an internalconfiguration of an antenna body 52 thereof; and

FIG. 26 is a block diagram depicting an example of an internalconfiguration of the hand held cellular phone.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of an information processing system, a hand held cellularphone, and an information processing method according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an example of configuring aninformation processing system 10 according to one preferred embodiment.

In this embodiment, an information providing medium is attached to anarbitrary entity such as commodity or advertising material, a hand heldterminal devices is provided so as to be possessed individually by eachof the information users. In the case where the information userattempts to obtain information associated with the entity, theinformation can be electronically stored in the hand held terminaldevice momentously, and the information can be read from the hand heldterminal device to the information processing unit, whereby theinformation associated with the entity can be processed by theinformation processing unit.

In an information processing system 10 shown in FIG. 1, an informationproviding medium 1 capable of reading information is provided in advancein an electromagnetic or optical manner. For the information providingmedium 1, there is used a recording medium for providing the electronicinformation content; a recording medium for providing the magneticinformation content; or a recording medium for providing the opticalinformation content. The information providing medium 1 is attached toan arbitrary entity 2 such as commodity, food, recording medium,exhibition, or advertising material by the information provider.

For example, the information provider can mount the informationproviding medium 1 to each of the commodities displayed at shop or inonline commodity exhibition site; mount the information providing medium1 to each of the foods arranged at a food shop; mount the informationproviding medium 1 to each of the recording media displayed at recordshop; mount the information providing medium 1 to each of the materialsexhibited at museum or art gallery; or mount the information providingmedium 1 to each of the arbitrary advertising materials attached atstation concourse, in train, at cinema, on street board or the like. Inthis manner, the information associated with an entity 2 such ascommodity, food, recording medium, exhibited material, advertisingmaterial or the like is provided to a user.

In this example, the information providing medium 1 is attached to thetop surface or bottom surface of the entity 2 or a specific location inan object. Of course, the information providing medium 1 may be attachedto a package or storage material of the entity 2 or may be provided asan accessory in the form of card. In order to emphasize the mountlocation (presence) of the information providing medium 1, an indicationindicative of the presence of the medium is given on the top surface ofthe entity 2. In a method for mounting the information providing medium1, for example, in the case where the entity 2 is an advertisingmaterial, a pocket or the like is provided at its top surface or bottomsurface so as to store the information providing medium 1 in the pocket.After the information providing medium 1 has been stored, the pocket maybe sealed to prevent it from being stolen.

In addition, in the case where this system is used to discriminatewhether the entity 2 is genuine or counterfeit, for example, in importor export materials, the form in which the information providing medium1 is embedded in the object. This is because, in the case where it isrequired to discriminate genuineness from counterfeit, only anauthorized checker or a specific information user can grasp its mountlocation.

As the contents of records into this information providing medium 1, theinformation associated with the entity 2 is stored in the form of data.For example, in the case where the entity 2 is a commodity such aselectric equipment, cloth, cosmetic, luggage, bag, or shoes, there arerecorded in the information providing medium 1 the information oncommodity features, functions, specification, price which cannot beentered in a conventional tag or the information on contact. In the casewhere the entity 2 is a food, there are recorded in the informationproviding medium 1 the information on the food price, life, recipe,calorie, information on wines suitable to the food, the origin orinformation on contact. Of course, the information providing medium 1may record these items of character information, text information, orvoice and video information.

In the case where the entity is a recording medium such as compact disk(CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD), there are recorded in theinformation providing medium 1 the audio information on introductoryportion of the CD associated with the recording medium or voice andvideo information on the cinema introduction portion of the DVD in orderto expand commodity selling. In the case where the entity 2 is anexhibited material such as picture or photograph, there are recorded inthe information providing medium 1 the information on picture guidance,the information on photographic conditions, audio information on artistor model or the like. In the case where the entity 2 is an advertisingmaterial associated with exhibition, there is recorded in theinformation providing medium 1 the information on date and time, place,admission, traffic, contact or the like. In recent years, there has beendisplayed an E-mail address for accessing an information providerthrough Internet as well as telephone number of contact. Of course, thisE-mail address is also recorded in the information providing medium.

The information providing medium 1 has a film shaped substrate, forexample. At this substrate, an IC chip and an antenna body connected tothis IC chip are provided so as to store information associated with theentity 2. The information providing medium 1 may be a monochromebarcode, a two dimensional code, or a magnetic information sheet withoutbeing limited to the IC chip and antenna body. It is sufficient if theinformation associated with the entity 2 can be stored, and these itemsof information can be provided to an information user.

In this information processing system 10, a hand held cellular terminaldevice 30 with its electromagnetic or optical information read functionis used. Information is read in an electromagnetic or optical mannerfrom at least the information providing medium 1, and is recorded in theform of data. This hand held terminal device 30 is provided so as to bepossessed individually by each of the information users.

An electromagnetic hand held terminal device 30 has at least an antennabody and information read means 3. This terminal device is coupled withan antenna body of the information providing medium 1 in anelectromagnetic manner so that information associated with the entity 2is read from this antenna body by information read means 3. Non-volatilestorage means 4 is connected to this information read means 3 so as tostore the information read by the information read means 3.

An hand held terminal device with its optical information as readfunction has an optical sensor (not shown) so as to read at least amonochrome bar code or two dimensional code provided at the informationproviding medium 1. Non-volatile storage means is connected to anoptical sensor, and the information associated with the entity 2 fetchedfrom the optical sensor is stored.

A magnetic hand held terminal device has a magnetic sensor (not shown)so as to read at least a magnetic information sheet provided at theinformation providing medium 1. Non-volatile storage means is connectedto the magnetic sensor so as to store the information associated withthe entity 2 fetched from the magnetic sensor. The storage means 4 maybe incorporated in a hand held terminal device 30 (internal type) or maybe mounted to the hand held terminal device 30 (external type). A flashmemory such as EEPROM is used for storage medium 4.

In this example, the hand held terminal device 30 is made close to theinformation providing medium 1 or the hand held terminal device 30 isscanned on the information providing medium 1, whereby information isread from the information providing medium 1 in an electromagnetic oroptical manner (hereinafter, referred to as an electronic memofunction). In addition, the hand held terminal device 30 may be a handheld cellular phone having its information read function without beinglimited to its specific terminal device for reading information from theinformation providing medium 1.

This hand held terminal device 30 is generally used by being connectedto an information processing unit 5 so that the information recorded inthe form of data is processed to be converted into information ofaudible type. The information processing unit 5 is provided so that thegenuineness or counterfeit of the information read from the hand heldterminal device 30 may be discriminated. In this embodiment, in the casewhere a configuration is adopted such that the hand held terminal device30 incorporates the information processing unit 5, the informationprocessing unit 5 is embodied by a central processing unit (CPU) in anarrow sense.

Display means 6 is connected to this information processing unit 5, aliquid crystal display element with about some tens x some hundreds ofpixels or a flat display element and the like is used as this displaymeans 5. Information processed in an audible form is displayed intact onthe hand held terminal device 30 so that the content can be seencarefully.

In the case this hand held terminal device 30 is equipped with theaforementioned display function, the information processing unit 5 isembodied by a desktop type personal computer (hereinafter, referred toas a personal computer) or hand held notebook type personal computer ina broad sense, and the information that cannot be processed by the andheld terminal device 30 is processed to be converted into information ofaudible type. Depending on the industry type to which the informationprocessing system 10 is applied, the information processing unit 5 maybe an information processing unit with its money registry functionprovided at shop.

As display means 6, there is used some inches of a cathode ray tube(CRT) with which the aforementioned personal computer is provided or aliquid crystal panel of a some hundreds x some hundreds of pixels, andthe information processed in an audible form is displayed intact. Inaddition, the information processing unit 5 extracts an E-mail addressof the information provider obtained from the information read from thehand held terminal device 30. Internet is connected to the informationprovider, whereby information processing such as collecting moredetailed information from the information provider is performed.

Now, an information processing method according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to an example of informationprocessing in the information processing system 10.

This embodiment assumes that information such as commodity oradvertising material associated with the entity 2 is stored in advancein the information providing medium 1. An information user is assumed topossess a hand held terminal device 30 with its electromagnetic, opticalor magnetic information read function. In addition, there is shown anexample when a personal computer provided at home or the like is usedfor an information processing unit 5. In the case where the informationprocessing system 10 is applied to a commodity selling system or thelike, an information processing unit with its money registry functionprovided at shop is used.

With this being presumed, at step A1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 2,an electromagnetically or optically information readable informationproviding medium 1 is attached to an arbitrary entity 2 by theinformation provider. The information providing medium 1 is attached toan arbitrary entity 2 such as commodity, food, recording medium,exhibited material, or advertising material by the information providerdepending on industry type.

For example, information such as commodity features, functions,specification, or price that cannot be entered into a conventional tagor information such as contact is recorded in the information providingmedium 1. This commodity with its information providing medium isdisplayed intact in a show case at shop or online commodity exhibitionsite, for example.

At a food shop, information such as food price, life, recipe, calorie,information on wines suitable to the food or the origin or informationon contact is recorded in the information providing medium 1. Thesefoods each having the information providing medium is arranged at a foodshop, for example. At a CD or DVD shop, audio information on theintroductory portion of a music associated with the recording medium orvoice and video information at the introductory portion of a cinema isrecorded in the information providing medium 1. The recording media eachwith the information providing medium are displayed at record shop.

At museum or art gallery, there are recorded in the informationproviding medium 1 the information on picture guidance, the informationon photographic conditions, or the audio information on artists ormodels concerning exhibited materials. This information providing medium1 is displayed intact near a works such as picture or photograph, forexample. In addition, in the case of advertisement type, there isrecorded in the information providing medium 1 the information such asdate and time, place, admission, traffic, or contact described on thesurface of an advertising material associated with an event. Theadvertisement material including this information providing medium ispresented at station concourse, in train, at cinema, on street bulletinboard or the like.

This is because information on the entity 2 such as these commodities,foods, recording media, exhibited materials, advertising material isprovided to a user. Depending on industry type, the informationproviding medium 1 is attached on the top surface or bottom surface ofthe entity 2 or at a specific position in an object. Of course, theinformation providing medium 1 may be attached to the package or storagematerial of the entity 2 or may be provided as an accessory of theentity 2. In order to emphasize the mount location (presence) of theinformation providing medium 1, an indication indicative of the presenceof the medium is given on the top surface of the entity 2. In a methodfor mounting the information providing medium 1, for example, in thecase where the entity 2 is an advertising material, a pocket or the likeis provided on its top surface or bottom surface so as to store theinformation providing medium 1 in this pocket. After the informationproviding medium 1 has been stored, the pocket may be sealed to preventit from being stolen. The information providing medium 1 may be embeddedin the entity such as import or export material.

Thereafter, at step A2, by the information user, information is readfrom the information providing medium 1 in an electromagnetic or opticalmanner, and is recorded therein by using a hand held terminal device 30with its information read function as required by referring to:commodities with information providing media displayed in a show casesuch as shop or online commodity exhibition site; foods with informationproviding media arranged at a food shop; recording media withinformation providing media displayed at record shop; exhibitedmaterials with information providing media presented near works such aspictures or photographs; advertising materials with informationproviding media presented at station concourse, in train, at cinema, oron street bulletin board.

At step A3, information read from the hand held terminal device 30 isprocessed. For example, in the case where the information processingsystem 10 is applied to a commodity selling system, commodityinformation read from the information providing medium 1 according to adesired commodity is merely transferred to an information processingunit 5 that serves as a fare adjustment site at that shop withoutbringing the commodity for a cash register so as to calculate a totalamount of purchase or the like.

In the case of Internet commodity selling, information on cloth color,size, material is applied free in an online commodity exhibition site.Thus, the information user brings the hand held terminal device 30 backhome, these items of information are transferred to a personal computerat home or the like, and the information is processed by the personalcomputer to be converted into information of audible type. In thismanner, the information such as commodity features, functions,specification, or price that cannot be entered into a conventional tagcan be obtained.

The information providing medium 1 added to a food is obtained togetherwith that food. Thus, by using the hand held terminal device 30 at home,there is read from the information providing medium 1 to the informationprocessing device 5 or the like the information such as food life,recipe, calorie, information on wines suitable to the food, the origin,or information on contact. A food can be processed based on theinformation.

The information associated with recording media read at a shop sellingCDs or DVDs is transferred from the hand held terminal device 30 to theinformation processing unit 5. Then, the audio information on theintroductory portion of the CD according to a new release or voice orvideo information on the introductory portion of a cinema of the DVD isproduced by the information processing unit 5. In this manner, theinformation user can easily establish a plan for purchasing recordingmedia.

At museum or art gallery, one can listen immediately to picture guidanceinformation associated with its exhibited materials read from theinformation providing medium 1 to the hand held terminal device 30,information on photographic conditions, or voice information on artistsor models. Of course, one may bring the hand held terminal device 30back home, transfer information to a personal computer at home andprocess the information to be converted into information of audibletype.

Information associated with an event read from an advertising materialwith an information providing medium presented at station concourse, intrain, at cinema, or on street bulletin board is transferred from thehand held terminal device 30 to the information processing unit 5. Then,information such as date and time, place, admission, traffic, contact isreproduced by the information processing unit 5.

When it is required to discriminate genuineness from counterfeit, theinformation is read from the information providing medium 1 by anauthorized checker or specific information user, and the genuineness orcounterfeit of the entity 2 is discriminated.

In this manner, there is provided an information processing system 10embodied according to the present invention, wherein the informationproviding medium 1 capable of reading information in an electromagneticor optical manner is attached by the information provider to anarbitrary entity 2 such as commodity or advertising material. Theinformation user uses a hand held terminal 30 with its information readfunction as required, wherein information is read from the informationproviding medium 1 in an electromagnetic or optical manner, and isrecorded. Thereafter, the information read from the hand held terminaldevice 30 is processed by the information processing unit 5 to beconverted into information of audible type, for example.

Therefore, in the case where one cannot look at an entity such ascommodity or advertising material carefully, for example, in the casewhere one sees such entity at station concourse on the way ofcommutation, one can store information such as address or contactassociated with the entity 2 momentously in the hand held terminaldevice without writing the information by pen or pencil. Thus, one canread the information associated with the entity from the hand heldterminal device 30 to the information processing unit 5, see theinformation associated with entity 2 by using the information processingunit 5, and provide a direct access to the company through Internet. Theinformation processing system 10 can be fully applied to an electronicadvertising system, a commodity selling system, a commodity informationproviding system, a food information providing system, a recordingmedium information providing system, an exhibition information providingsystem, a commodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system orthe like.

(2) First Embodiment

FIG. 3 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring anelectronic advertising system 100 according to a first embodiment. Thiselectronic advertising system 100 applies to an arbitrary advertisingmaterial 201 concerning an entity 2 so as to provide the contents ofelectronic information associated with this advertising material 201 toan information user. Information providing electronic parts 11 modulatedin advance are attached to this advertising material 201. Informationassociated with the advertising material 201 is read from thisinformation providing electronic part 11 in an electromagnetic manner byusing a hand held information reading display 12. Then, the informationrecorded in the form of data is processed by a personal computer 15 tobe converted into information of audible type.

In the electronic advertising system 100 shown in FIG. 3, theinformation providing electronic parts 11 are attached in advance as aninformation providing medium 1 capable of reading information in anelectromagnetic manner. A description of the information providingelectronic parts 11 will be given with reference to FIG. 4 by way ofexample. The information providing electronic parts 11 are attached toan arbitrary advertising material 201 presented by an informationprovider, for example, at station concourse, in train, at cinema, onstreet bulletin board or the like.

In this example, the information providing parts 11 are attached so asto be stored in a pocket provided at the left diagonal lower part of thetop surface of the advertising material 201. After the informationelectronic parts 11 have been stored, the pocket is sealed to prevent itfrom being stolen. In order to emphasize its mount location, anoutstanding red-colored frame is given so as to surround the peripheryof the mount place.

As the contents of records into the information providing electronicparts 11, for example, in the case of an advertisement of a newly openedamusement park provided with a new roller coaster, a photograph of theentire roller coaster is presented on the top surface of the advertisingmaterial 201. At the lower part of the material, the start date andtime, place, admission, traffic, contact or the like is described, andthe advertising information D01 identical to the above content isrecorded in the information providing electronic parts 11. Of course, anE-mail address as well as telephone number is recorded in theinformation providing electronic parts 11 for an information user whoattempts to obtain more detailed advertising information D01 concerningsuch new roller coaster.

In this electronic advertising system 100, a hand held informationreading display 12 is used as a hand held terminal device 30. Thisinformation reading display 12 is what is called card size of about 80mm to 100 mm in horizontal length L shown in FIG. 3, about 50 mm to 60mm in vertical length W, and about 5 mm to 10 mm in thickness, forexample. In this example, the information reading display 12 and theinformation providing electronic parts 11 are coupled with each other inan at least electromagnetic manner, the advertising information D01 isread from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner so as to be recorded in the form of data.

This information reading display 12 is provided to be possessedindividually by each of the information users. In a method for handingthe above information reading display 12, the information readingdisplay 12 is made close to the information providing electronic parts11, and these display and parts are superimposed with each other,whereby the advertising information D01 is read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner. In thisinformation reading display 12, a flash memory such as EEPROM isincorporated or is externally provided as non-volatile storage means,and the advertising information D01 arbitrarily read from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 is recorded in the memory.

In this example, the advertising information D01 read from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 is processed by theinformation reading display 12 to be converted into information ofaudible type. The information is displayed intact on a liquid crystaldisplay element of the information display 12 so that the content can beseen immediately. In addition, a universal serial bus (hereinafterreferred to as USB) terminal 13 is provided at the information readingdisplay 12 so as to enable collection to a personal computer 15 by usinga USB terminal 13 or a communication cable according to the RS23Ccommunication protocols. The information that cannot be processed by theinformation reading display 12 is provided for communication processing.Of course, the information processed into audible type may be displayedby a CRT with which a personal computer is provided. In addition, anE-mail address of the information provider is extracted from theinformation, and connection to the information provider is made viaInternet by using the personal computer 15. In this manner, moredetailed information associated with the roller coaster, for example,maximum angle of inclination, maximum height, maximum speed,predetermined time or the like can be obtained from the informationprovider.

Now, a description of information providing electronic parts 11 will begiven by way of example. The information providing electronic parts 11shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a film shaped substrate 14 having itssomewhat larger area relevant to the horizontal length L andlongitudinal length W of the information reading display 12, forexample. Of course, the shape of the information providing electronicparts 11 may be circular or elliptical without being limited to arectangular shape. The substrate 14 is composed of a resin sheet or thelike. The size or material of the substrate 14 is not limited to suchresin sheet, either. An IC chip 16 is provided at this substrate 14 soas to provide the advertising information D01 associated with theadvertising material 201. This advertising information D01 includesstart date and time, place, admission, traffic, contact or the likeassociated with an amusement part provided with a new roller coaster asshown in the foregoing example.

A loop shaped antenna body 17 is provided at this substrate 14, and iselectrically connected to the IC chip 16. The antenna body 17 is formedby winding a copper wire or copper foil pattern of about 0.5 mm inthickness by three turns, for example. A capacitor C as well as antennabody 17 is connected to the IC chip 16. This capacitor consists of astorage electrode dielectric, and an opposite electrode. The memorycapacity of the IC chip 16 is about 1.2 Kbytes to 4.0 Kbytes.

FIG. 4 shows only one electrode, This capacitor C is used forsynchronizing an antenna body 17 with the carrier frequency of anelectromagnetic field, thereby maximizing reception efficiency. Ofcourse, in the case where the lowering of the reception efficiency isallowed, the capacitor C may be eliminated. In addition, with respect tothe information providing electronic parts 11, as in an IC card, a sheetmember may be provided at the top and bottom thereof. In particular, inthe case where the parts are attached on the bottom surface of anadvertising material 201, the electronic parts may be used in a state inwhich no sheet member is provided.

Now, an internal configuration of the IC chip 16 will be described byway of example. The IC chip 16 shown in FIG. 5 has amodulation/demodulation circuit 61, a signal processing circuit 62 and anon-volatile memory 63.

In this example, advertising information D01 is Manchester-encoded. Inthe IC chip 16, the advertising information D01 obtained in a data rowof its predetermined data format is received from an information readingdisplay 12 through an antenna body 17. A modulation/demodulation circuit61 is connected to the antenna body 17. During information writing, amodulation wave (13.56 MHz) of an amplitude shift (ASK: Amplitude ShiftKeying) received by this antenna body 17 is demodulated by means of ademodulation function of the modulation/demodulation circuit 61. The ASKmodulation wave is obtained by modulating an amplitude of a carriersignal to be amplitude-shifted by digital advertising information D01.The data transmission speed is 250 k bps/211.875 k bps. The bandwidth is±300 kHz.

In the modulation/demodulation circuit 61, for example, a data rowaccording to the advertising information D01 is demodulated, the datarow being sent from the information reading display 12 to theinformation providing electronic parts 11. Then, the demodulated datarow is transmitted from the modulation/demodulation circuit 61 to thesignal processing circuit 62. In response to this transmission, thedemodulated data row is decoded in the signal processing circuit 62, andthe advertising information D01 is written into a non-volatile memory 63based on the decoding result. In this manner, the information providercan write advertising information D01 associated with the advertisingmaterial 201 as a data row in this memory 63.

In addition, during information reading, the advertising information D01read from the non-volatile memory 63 is ASK modulated by means of themodulation function of the modulation/demodulation circuit 61, The datatransmission speed is 250 k bps/211.875 k bps. The bandwidth is ±300kHz, and a modulation signal is Manchester-encoded. In this manner, theadvertising information D01 can be transmitted as a data row of its dataformat to the information reading display 12 through the antenna body17.

The power supplies of the information providing electronic parts 11 areused by converting the electromagnetic field energy radiated from theinformation reading display 12 into an electronic signal. In thisexample, a power generating section 64 is provided so as to convert theelectromagnetic field energy into a stable DC power supply.

For example, the electromagnetic field received by the antenna body 17is converted into an inductive electromotive force based on a law ofelectromagnetic induction. By rectifying this electromotive force, a DCpower is obtained, and this DC power voltage is supplied to themodulation/demodulation circuit 61, signal processing circuit 62, andnon-volatile memory 63. In an example showing a carrier frequency ofabout 13.56 MHz by three turns, a voltage of 2.2 V and a power supply ofabout 1 mA can be obtained. Of course, the power caused by the externalhigh-frequency electromagnetic energy may be taken in the antenna body17 or other object.

Now, an internal configuration of an information reading display 12 andits functions will be described by way of example. A loop shaped antennabody 52 is provided at the information reading display 12 shown in FIG.6 so as to enable communication with the information providingelectronic parts 11. The antenna body 17 of the information providingparts 11 and an antenna body 52 of the information reading display 12are coupled with each other as shown in FIG. 7A in an electromagneticmanner, and are used in an electrically non-contact state.

A modulation/demodulation circuit 51 is connected to this antenna body52, and the modulation wave sent from the information providingelectronic parts 11 is demodulated by using its demodulation function.For example, a data row of the advertising information D01 associatedwith the advertising material 201 is demodulated, the data row beingsent from the information providing electronic parts 11 to theinformation reading display 12. The data row is configured based on apredetermined data format. For example, one packet of the data row ofthe advertising information D01 is composed of a header+data shown inFIG. 7B.

A signal processor unit (hereinafter referred to as an SPU) 53 isconnected to this modulation/demodulation circuit 51. The SPU 53comprises: a central processing unit (CPU) for executing a variety ofcomputation processing (not shown); a ROM storing a control program; anda general-purpose RAM used as a work memory. In the SPU 53, a variety ofinformation processing according to demodulated information is performedbased on the control program read from the ROM. A flash memory 42 thatis shown as an example of non-volatile storage means is connected to theSPU 53, and the advertising information D01 read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 is recorded.

In addition, with respect to a function used exclusively by theinformation provider, during writing information shown in FIG. 7A, avariety of information received from the SPU 53 is modulated by themodulation/demodulation circuit 51, and then, a data row of theadvertising information D01 caused by the modulation electric wave istransmitted to the information providing electronic parts 11 through theantenna body 52. At this time, in order to efficiently discharge thedata row as an electromagnetic field, the data row is ASK modulated byusing a carrier wave of 13.56 MHz in frequency. Then, the modulatedelectric wave is transmitted as an electromagnetic field (about 500micro-V/m) toward the information providing electric parts 11 by meansof the antenna body 52.

A power supply & control section 57 is connected to themodulation/demodulation circuit 51, SPU 53, input tool 54, and liquidcrystal display 55, and a DC power is supplied. A dry battery or chargetype battery is used for power supply. In particular, a carrier wave of13.56 MHz in frequency is supplied from the power supply & controlsection 57 to the modulation/demodulation circuit 51. An informationwriting function is adopted to disable information writing into theinformation providing electronic parts 11 in the information readingdisplay 12 possessed by the information user. In this case, themodulation function of the modulation/demodulation circuit 51 iseliminated or a specific modulation method is adopted, therebypreventing the advertising information D01 from being raised by theinformation user.

In addition, the input tool 54 such as keyboard is connected to the SPU53 so that an operator can operate an instruction when the instructionis supplied to the SPU 53. In addition, a liquid crystal display 55consisting of about some tens x some hundreds of pixels is connected sothat information read from the information providing electronic parts 11or information to be written therefrom to information providingelectronic parts 11 is displayed intact on the liquid crystal display 55and is checked. A USB terminal 13 for external device is connected tothis SPU 53 so as to make connection to a high-order computer or thelike.

Then, an information processing method according to the first embodimentwill be described with reference to an example of processing in anelectronic advertising system 100. FIG. 8 is an imaginary view showingan example of processing according to the information processing methodprovided as the first embodiment.

In this example, it is presumed that the advertising information D01 onposter 20 concerning a concert of a prominent talented artist is storedin advance in information providing electronic parts 11. In addition,let us show an example when an information reading display 12 is used byconnecting the display 12 to a personal computer 15 at home. With thisbeing presumed, information providing electronic parts 11 capable ofreading information in an electromagnetic manner is attached to anarbitrary poster 20 on the information provider shown in FIG. 7A andFIG. 7B. For example, card shaped information providing electronic parts11 are attached on a surface of the poster 20. An information providerpresents this poster 20 having the information providing electronicparts attached thereon at station concourse, in train, at cinema, or onstreet bulletin board and the like.

Then, when an information user sees such advertisement at stationconcourse, in train, at cinema, or on street bulletin board or the like,the advertising information D01 is read from the information providingelement parts 11 in electromagnetic manner, and is read by using an handheld information reading display 12 as required. At this time, theinformation reading display 12 and the information providing parts 11are superimposed with each other, and are coupled with each other in anelectromagnetic manner. For example, the information reading display 12and the personal computer 15 are connected to each other using a USBterminal 13 and communications cable at home, for example, and theadvertising information D01 is read from this information readingdisplay 12. The advertising information D01 is processed by a personalcomputer 15, and is converted into information of audible type.

Therefore, in the case where one cannot look at the poster 20 carefully,even if one does not write advertising information D01 such as event orcontact associated with that poster 20 which one looked in train on theway of commutation, the advertising information D01 can be stored in theinformation reading display 12 momentously. One can read the advertisinginformation D01 from the information reading display 12 to the personalcomputer 15 at home, can see the advertising information D01 associatedwith the poster 20 on the display of the personal computer 15, or canreserve or purchase an admission ticket directly to the event company ofthat concert through Internet.

According to the information providing electronic parts 11 of thepresent invention, advertising information D01 associated with anadvertising material 201 can be read freely and as many times as onelikes by an electromagnetic information reading display 12. Thus, theadvertising information D01 can be transmitted publicly as if a largeamount of handbills were distributed. Moreover, there is no need toprepare handbills in advance, these handbills are not disposed at streetillegally, thus leading to street beatification.

(3) Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring acommodity selling system 200 according to a second embodiment 2.

This commodity selling system 200 is a system that applies to aplurality of commodity #i (i=1 to n) concerning an entity 2 and providesa commodity purchaser (information user) with the contents of electronicinformation associated with each commodity #i. In this example, everytime each commodity purchaser possesses an information reading display12 and purchases any of a plurality of commodities #i displayed at asite, the information reading display 12 is applied to a commodity #i orthe like to be purchased, price information D02 or the like is read andstored from that commodity #i. When one has purchased everything thatone wants, fare adjustment is performed at a specific site, and then,the purchased commodity #i can be received in batch at a packagereception site.

In this commodity selling system 200, information providing electronicparts 11 described in the first embodiment are attached to allcommodities (□,◯,∇,⋆, . .) #i displayed at shop shown in FIG. 9; andprice information D02 or the like associated with that commodity #i isread from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner so that the price information D02 recorded in adata format is fare adjusted by a personal computer 35 with its moneyregister function of a fare adjustment site (register). Informationproviding electronic parts 11 is described with reference to FIG. 4.

The information providing electronic parts 11 are attached so as to bestored to a pocket provided at price tag 19 of commodity #i, forexample, by an information provider. After the information providingelectronic parts 11 have been stored, the pocket is sealed to prevent itfrom changed secretly and stolen. In order to emphasize the mountlocation, a red frame by an outstanding color is given so as to surroundthe periphery of the mount site. Of course, in the case where theinformation providing electronic parts 11 are attached to commodity #iitself, a commodity information providing system 300 described in thenext embodiment can be constructed.

The contents of records into the information providing electronic parts11 in this system 200 include the name and price of the commodity #i orthe like. In addition, manufacturer, year and date of manufacture,telephone number of contact concerning this commodity #1 or the like arerecorded. Of course, for an information user who wants to acquire moredetailed information concerning the commodity #i, an E-mail address ofthe information provider as well as telephone number is recorded in theinformation providing parts 11.

In this commodity selling system 220 as well, the hand held informationreading display 12 described in the first embodiment is used as a handheld terminal device with its information read function. A descriptionof this configuration has been given in the first embodiment, and thus,its description is omitted. In this example as well, the informationreading display 12 and the information providing electronic parts 11 arecoupled with each other in an at least electromagnetic manner, and priceinformation D02 or the like is read from the information providingelectronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner, and is processed in adata format.

This information reading display 12 is provided so that a commoditypurchaser (information user) possesses it individually. In a method forhandling the information reading display 12, the information readingdisplay 12 is made close to the information providing electronic parts11, whereby information is read from the information providingelectronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner. The approachingdistance is about 10 cm in ticket examination type and about 2 cm inticket selling machine type, depending on the performance of informationreading display 12. In the case of extra-small type, the electronicparts are made in close contact with each other. When the frequencyduring communication is higher than 13.56 MHz, the distance can be about50 cm to 70 cm.

This information reading display 12 incorporates a non-volatile memoryas described in the first embodiment, and the price information D02 ofcommodity #i arbitrary read from the information providing electronicparts 11 or the like is recorded. The price information D02 is noterased from a memory even if a power supply is turned OFF.

In this example, the USB terminal 13 described in the first embodimentis provided at the information reading display 12, and thus, this USBterminal 13 or a communications cable according to the RS23Ccommunication protocols is used to enable communication with thepersonal computer 35. Information processing that cannot be processed bythe information reading display 12 can be performed by the personalcomputer 35.

Instead of wired communication using this communications cable, localradio communication using red infrared-rays may be performed. In thiscase, a red infrared-ray transmitting and receiving section is providedat the information reading display 12 and the personal computer 35 withits money register function. By way of this red-infrared raycommunication, price information D02 or the like is transferred from theinformation reading display 12 to the personal computer 35 momentously.Of course, a CRT with which the personal computer is provided is adoptedto display purchase information after purchased commodity #i has beensummed in order for a seller to check the sold item.

Then, a description will be given to an example of processing in thecommodity selling system 200. In this example, it is presumed thatinformation providing electronic parts 11 are attached to price tags 19of all commodity #i displayed in advance at shop; price information D02or the like associated with the commodity #i is electomagnetically readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11 by using a hand heldinformation reading display 12; and price information D02 recorded inthe data format is fare adjusted by a personal computer 35 with itsmoney register function at a fare adjustment site (register). Of course,each commodity purchaser possesses an information reading display 12.

With this being presumed, at step B1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 10,a commodity purchaser determined whether or not he or she purchases itat a site at which a plurality of commodity #i are displayed. When thepurchaser purchases something, processing goes to step B2 at which theinformation reading display 12 is made close to the price tag 19 of adesired commodity every time he or she purchases something. At thistime, the information reading display 12 and the information providingelectronic parts 11 are coupled with each other in an electromagneticmanner.

After processing has gone to the step B3, price information D02 is readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11 of that commodity #1,and is stored in the information reading display 12. Then, processinggoes to step B4 at which it is determined as to whether or noteverything has been purchased. This determination is made by thecommodity purchaser. In the case where everything is not purchased,processing reverts to step B2 at which the information reading display12 is made close to the price tag 19 of desired commodity #i so as torepeat processing in the same way as above.

In the case where everything is purchased, fare adjustment is performedat a specific fare adjustment site. Fare adjustment may be an automaticbank transfer system by way of online system or may be a cash paymentsystem. In the case of an online system, the personal computer 35 isconnected to a personal computer at bank via communications means suchas telephone line, and settlement is made after the account balance ofthe commodity purchaser has been correlated. Then, the purchasedcommodity #i is moved to step B6 so as to be received in batch at apredetermined package reception site.

Thus, according to the commodity selling system 200 of the secondembodiment, there is solved a problem that packages are increased atshopping cart every purchase until the purchaser has reached a fareadjustment site as in a conventional system. The commodity purchaser maywait at registry while the purchaser holds one information readingdisplay 12.

Moreover, the name and price information D02 according to a purchasedcommodity #i is recorded in the information reading display 12. Thus,the purchaser reads the price information D02 or the like from theinformation reading display 12 to his or her personal computer 15 or thelike at home, and can record the data concerning the purchased commodity#1 in a balance sheet automatically on the display of the personalcomputer 15. When this commodity #i is found to be faulty, informationcan be directly processed from additional information of the commodity#i so as to make a phone call to a manufacturer about handling orrequest for replacement of the commodity #i, as described in the nextembodiment.

(4) Third Embodiment

FIG. 11 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring acommodity information providing system 300 according to a thirdembodiment.

In this example, information providing electronic parts 11 are attachedto commodity #i at shop or sales sample in online shopping (Internetshopping) with respect of an entity 2, and additional information isrecorded in the information providing electronic parts 11. Theadditional information is directed to information such as the features,functions, or specification of commodity #i other than the name andprice information of the commodity #i which cannot be included in aconventional paper tag. Therefore, if commodity #i is found to befaulty, one can inquire a manufacture directly from additionalinformation of the commodity #i, and can know how to handle it or askfor replacement of such faulty commodity #i.

In particular, a sample exhibition site at which sales samples inInternet shopping are gathered is provided. In this system, with respectto color, size or the like of commodity #i which is hardly recognizedfrom net sales information downloaded into a personal computer 15 via aprovider, an information user visually checks them at the sampleexhibition site, reads additional information on his or her owninformation reading display 12 from the information providing electronicparts 11 attached to the commodity #i, making it possible to purchasewhat he or she really wants and to enjoy convenience such as onlineordering or settlement.

In the case where a purchaser wants to purchase commodity #i, he or shemay purchase it, but may determine such purchase in comparison withother commodities. In this case, the purchaser reads the additionalinformation in the information reading display 12 at shop or sampleexhibition site, transfers the additional information to the personalcomputer 15 at home or in office, and performs display processing or thelike, thereby making it possible to determine whether or not to purchasethat commodity #i.

In the commodity information providing system 300 shown in FIG. 11, forexample, the information providing electronic parts 11 described in thefirst embodiment are attached to all commodity #i such as businesssuits, handbags, wristwatch or the like displayed at a sample exhibitionsite for sales samples in Internet shopping. By using a hand heldinformation reading display 12, information associated with thatcommodity #i is read from the information providing electronic parts 11in an electromagnetic manner; additional information D03 recorded in adata format is processed by a personal computer 15 at home or in office,and is converted into information of audible type. The informationproviding electronic parts 11 have been described with reference to FIG.4. The information providing electronic parts 11 are attached to a pricetag 19 or the like of commodity #i by the information provider.

The contents of records into the information providing electronic parts11 in this system 300 include the name, price, manufacturer, date ofmanufacture, features, functions, specification, or telephone number ofcontact concerning the commodity #i. Of course, for an information userso who wants to acquire more detailed information concerning thiscommodity #i, an E-mail address of the information provider as well astelephone number is recorded in the information providing electronicparts 11.

In this commodity information providing system 300 as well, the handheld information reading display 12 described in the first embodiment isused as a hand held terminal device with its information read function.The contents of this configuration has been described in the firstembodiment, and thus, a duplicate description is omitted here. In thisexample as well, the information reading display 12 and informationelectronic parts 11 are coupled with each other in an at leastelectromagnetic manner. Additional information D03 is read from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner,and is converted to be recorded in a data format.

This information reading display 12 is provided so that a commoditypurchaser (information user) possesses it individually. In a method formounting the information reading display 12, as described in the firstand second embodiments, the information reading display 12 is made closeto information providing electronic parts 11, whereby additionalinformation D03 is read from the information providing electronic parts11.

This information reading display 12 incorporates a non-volatile memoryas described in the first embodiment. In this memory, there is recordedadditional information D03 or the like of commodity #i arbitrary readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11. The additionalinformation D03 is not erased from the memory even if a power supply isturned OFF. In this example, additional information D03 is processed bythe information reading display 12, and is converted into information ofaudible type. The information obtained by processing by this additionalinformation D03 is displayed intact on a liquid crystal display elementor the like of the information reading display 12, and the content canbe seen immediately on the spot.

In addition, the information reading display 12 is connected to thepersonal computer 15 using the provided USB terminal 13 orcommunications cable according to RS23C communications protocols.Additional information D03 that cannot be processed by the informationreading display 12 is provided for communication processing. Of course,the information processed into audible type may be displayed on a CRTwith which a personal computer is provided. In addition, an E-mailaddress of the information provider is extracted from additionalinformation D03, connection to the information provider is made viaInternet using the personal computer 15 so that more detailedinformation is obtained, and processing goes to accounting processing ofthe commodity #i

Now, an example of processing in the commodity information providingsystem 300 will be described here. In this example, it is presumed thatinformation providing electronic samples 11 are attached in advance toprice tags 19 of all of the commodity #i displayed at a sampleexhibition site in Internet shopping; additional information D03 or thelike associated with that commodity #i is read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner by using ahand held information reading display 12; additional information D03recorded in the data format processed by a personal computer 15 at homeor in office. Of course, it is presumed that each commodity purchaserpossesses the information reading display 12.

With this being presumed, at step C1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 12,a commodity purchaser determines whether or not there is desiredinformation concerning sample commodity #i at an exhibition site atwhich a plurality of sample commodities #i are displayed. Thisdetermination is made by the commodity purchaser. In the case wherethere is desired information concerning sample commodity #i, processinggoes to step C2 at which the information reading display 12 is madeclose to that price tag 19 or the like every sample commodity #icorresponding to such desired information. At this time, the informationreading display 12 and information providing electronic parts 11 arecoupled with each other in an electromagnetic manner.

Then, processing goes to step C3 at which additional information D03 isread from information providing electronic parts 11 of that commodity#i, and is stored in that information reading display 12. Then,processing goes to step C3 at which it is determined as to whether ornot all the desired information concerning sample commodity #i is read.This determination is made by the commodity purchaser. In the case whereall the desired information concerning sample commodity #i is not read,processing reverts to step C2 at which the information reading display12 is made close to the price tag 19 of sample commodity #icorresponding to such desired information so that the processing isrepeated in the same manner as the above.

In the case where all the desired information concerning samplecommodity #i is read, processing goes to step C5 at which additionalinformation D03 is processed by using the information reading display12, and information of audible type is displayed intact on a liquidcrystal display element or the like so that the content can be seenimmediately on the spot.

Then, processing goes to step C6 at which the USB terminal 13 of theinformation reading display 12 is connected to the personal computer 15by using a communication cable, the content of information processed bythe information reading display 12 or additional information D03 thatcould not be processed there are transferred to the personal computer15. At the personal computer 15, information processed in audible type,for example, the characteristics, functions, or specification of wristwatch that is sample commodity #i is displayed on a CRT with which thepersonal computer is provided. In addition, an E-mail address of aninformation provider is extracted from additional information D03 sothat more detailed information is obtained from the information providervia Internet or processing goes to accounting processing of thatcommodity #i.

In this manner, according to the commodity information providing system300 of the third embodiment, in the case where there is provided asample exhibition site at which sales samples are gathered in Internetshopping, with respect to the color, size or the like of commodity #ithat is hardly recognized from net sales information downloaded into thepersonal computer 15 via a provider, an information user checks them atthis sample exhibition site, reads additional information D03 from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 attached to that commodity #ito the information reading device 12, thereby making it possible topurchase what he or she really wants. In addition, the purchaser canenjoy convenience such as online ordering or settlement.

Moreover, when commodity #i is found to be faulty, the purchaser directinquires that manufacturer from additional information D03 of thatcommodity #i by combining the second embodiment so that the purchasercan know the handling of the commodity #1 and ask for replacement of thecommodity #i or the like.

(5) Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 13 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring a foodinformation providing system 400 according to a fourth embodiment.

In this example, information providing electronic parts 11 are attachedto foods with respect to an entity 2. Food information D04 is recordedin the information providing electronic parts 11 at a food shop. Thefood information D04 used here includes information such as name, price,life of the food 202, recipe, information on wines suitable to the food,calorie, or origin or any other information that cannot be included in aconventional paper tag. Therefore, a food purchaser purchases the food202 with information providing electronic parts 11, whereby thepurchaser can obtain information such as life., recipe, information onwines suitable to the food, calorie, origin with respect of the food202, and can perform menu management of that food 202.

In the food information providing system 400 shown in FIG. 13, forexample, the information providing electronic parts 11 described in thefirst embodiment are attached to all foods 202 displayed at a food shop.The information providing electronic parts 11 are attached to containersor housings for packing without being direct attached to the foods 202.

The contents of records into the information providing electronic parts11 in this system 400 include information on the name, price,manufacturer, date of manufacture, life, recipe, information on winessuitable to the food, calorie, origin or telephone number of contactconcerning the foods 202.

Of course, for an information user who wants to obtain more detailedinformation concerning these foods 202, an E-mail address of aninformation provider as well as telephone number is recorded in theinformation providing electronic parts 11. The information providingelectronic parts 11 has been described with reference to FIG. 4. Theseinformation providing electronic parts 11 are attached to price tags 19of the foods 202 at a food shop (by the information provider).

In this food information providing system 400 as well, there is used thehand held information reading display 12 described in the firstembodiment. For example, the information reading display 12 and theinformation providing electronic parts are coupled with each other in anat least electromagnetic manner, and food information D04 is read fromthe information providing electronic parts 11 in an electromagneticmanner so as to be recorded in the data format.

This information reading display 12 is provided so that an informationuser possesses it individually. In a method for handling the informationreading display 12, as described in the first to third embodiments, theinformation reading display 12 is made close to the informationproviding electronic parts 11, whereby food information D04 is read fromthe information providing electronic parts 11 in an electromagneticmanner.

This information reading display 12 incorporates a non-volatile memory42 as described in the first embodiment. In this memory 42, there isrecorded food information D04 or the like on the foods 202 arbitrarilyread from the information providing electronic parts 11. The foodinformation D04 is not erased from the memory even if a power supply isturned OFF. In this example, food information D04 processed into audibletype by the information reading display 12 is displayed intact by aliquid crystal display element of the information reading display 12 sothat the contents can be seen immediately on the spot.

In addition, a USB terminal 13 provided at the information readingdisplay 12 is connected to a personal computer 15 at home by using acommunications cable. Food information D04 of the information readingdisplay 12 is transferred, and a video according to a detailed cookingmethod is displayed on a CRT with which a personal computer is provided.Together with this video, voice guidance is output from a providedspeaker. A video such as information on wines suitable to this cuisineis displayed.

Now, an example of processing in the food information providing system400 will be described here. In this example, it is presumed thatinformation providing electronic parts 11 are attached to price tags 19of all foods 202 displayed in advance on a food shop; when that food ispurchased, and is brought back home, food information. D04 or the likeassociated with that food 202 is read from the information providingelectronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner; and the foodinformation D04 recorded in a data format is processed by a personalcomputer 15 at home. Let us show an example when a cooking method isreferred to from the food information D04. Of course, it is presumedthat each food purchaser (information user) possesses the informationreading display 12.

With this being presumed, at step E1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 14,a food purchaser determined whether or not there is a desired food 202at a food shop at which a plurality of foods 202 are displayed. Thisdetermination is made by the food purchaser. In the case where a desiredfood 202 is present, the purchaser purchases a food 202 with itsinformation providing electronic parts, and brings it back home.

At home, during preparation for cook, at step E2, the informationreading display 12 is made close to the price tag 19 or the like of thefood 202. At this time, the information reading display 12 and theinformation providing electronic parts 11 are coupled with each other inan electromagnetic manner. Then, processing goes to step E3 at whichfood information D04 is read from the information providing electronicparts 11 of the food 202, and is stored in the information readingdisplay 12. Then, processing goes to step E4 at which an informationuser determines whether or not the food information D04 is read. In thecase where all the food information D04 is not read, processing revertsto step E2 at which information read processing is repeated.

In the case where all the food information D04 is read, processing goesto step E5 at which the food information D04 is read from a flash memory42 of the information reading display 12, and is processed into audibletype. This food information D04 is displayed intact on a liquid crystaldisplay element or the like so that the content can be seen immediatelyon the spot.

Then, processing goes to step E6 at which the USB terminal 13 of theinformation reading device 12 is connected to the personal computer 15by using a communications cable; and the content of informationprocessed by the information reading display 12 or the food informationD04 that cannot be processed there are transferred to the personalcomputer 15 or the like. At the personal computer 15, the informationprocessed into audible type, for example, the cooking method of the food202 is displayed on a provided CRT. In addition, an E-mail address ofthe information provider is extracted from the food information D04 sothat information concerning a more detailed cooking method is obtainedfrom the information provider via Internet.

In this manner, according to the food information providing system 400of the fourth embodiment, the information providing electronic parts 11are attached to foods, and food information D04 is recorded in theinformation providing parts 11 at a food shop. Therefore, with respectto the food 202, there can be obtained information such as life, recipe,information on wines suitable to the cuisine, calorie, origin or thelike. The management of life or menu of the food 202 can be performedbased on the food information D04.

The life may be linked with a computer of a refrigerator (not shown). Inthis case, red infrared-ray transmitting and receiving sections areprovided at both of the information reading display 12 and therefrigerator computer. By way of this red infrared-ray communication,information on life or the like is transferred from the informationreading display 12 to that computer momentously. This informationconcerning life is added to the inventory management information so thatthe user's diet is managed by that computer.

Moreover, when the food 202 is found to be faulty, a purchaser inquiresa manufacturer directly from the food information D04 of that food 202so that the purchaser can know the countermeasure or ask for replacementof the food 202.

(6) Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 15 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring arecording medium information providing system 500 according to a fifthembodiment.

In this example, information providing electronic parts 11 are attachedto recording media 203 such as CD or DVD with respect to an entity 2.The information providing electronic parts 11 record experienceinformation. The experience information is directed to name and price ofa recording medium; audio information on an introductory portion of amusic according to that recording medium; or voice and video informationon the introductory portion of a cinema. In this system, a purchaser canread experience information from the information providing electronicparts 11 attached to the recording media 203 by means of the informationreading display 12 brought into a record shop, checks this experienceinformation, thereby making it possible to purchase what he or shereally wants to. In addition, the purchaser can enjoy convenience suchas online ordering or settlement.

In the case where a media purchaser wants to purchase a recording medium203, he or she may purchase it, but may determine such purchase bycomparing it with another medium. In this case, the purchaser can readexperience information in the information reading display 12 at a recordshop; bring it back home or office, transfer the experience informationto a personal computer 15 or the like; and determine whether or not topurchase the recording medium 203.

In the recording medium information providing system 500 shown in FIG.15, for example, the information providing electronic parts 11 describedin the first embodiment are attached to all recording media 203 such asCD, CD-ROM, DVD . . . displayed at a record medium 203. Experienceinformation D05 associated with the recording media 203 is read from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic mannerby using the hand held information reading display 12. Then, theexperience information D05 recorded in a data format is processed by apersonal computer 15 at home or in office, and is converted intoinformation of audible type.

The information providing electronic parts 11 have been described withreference to FIG. 4. In the information providing electronic parts 11,for example, a CD or DVD information provider records audio informationof an introductory portion of a music according to the recording medium203 or voice and video information of an introductory portion of acinema. The recording media with the information providing parts aredisplayed at a record shop in order to provide the informationassociated with these recording media 203 to the information user.

The information providing electronic parts 11 are attached to price tags19 or the like of the recording media 203 by the information provider.Of course, the information providing electronic parts 11 may be attachedto packages or housings and the like of the recording media 203 or maybe provided as an additional material of the recording media 203 in acard format. In order to emphasize the mount location (presence) of theinformation providing electronic parts 11, an indication indicative ofits presence is given on the surface of the recording media 203.

The contents of records into information providing electronic parts 11in this system 500 include information associated with the name, price,producer of the recording media 203 or telephone number of contactconcerning the recording media 203, for example, as well as theaforementioned contents. Of course, for an information user who wants toobtain more detailed information concerning the recording media 203, anE-mail address of the information provider as well as telephone numberis recorded in the information providing electronic parts 11.

In this recording medium information providing system 500 as well, thehand held information reading display 12 described in the firstembodiment is used as a hand held terminal device with its informationread function. The contents of this configuration has been described inthe first embodiment, and a duplicate description thereof is omitted. Inthis example, the information reading display 12 and the informationproviding electronic parts 11 are coupled with each other in an at leastelectromagnetic manner. Then, experience information D05 is read fromthe information providing electronic parts 11, and is converted to berecorded in a data format.

This information reading display 12 is provided so that a mediumpurchaser (information user) possesses it individually. In a method forhandling the information reading display 12, as described in the firstto fourth embodiments, the information reading display 12 is made closeto information providing parts 11, whereby experience information D05 isread from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner.

This information reading display 12 incorporates a non-volatile memoryas described in the first embodiment, and the experience information D-5or the like of the recording media 203 arbitrarily read from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 is recorded. This experienceinformation D05 is not erased from a memory even if a power supply isturned OFF. In this example, the experience information D05 is processedby means of the information reading display 12, and is converted intoinformation of audible type. The information obtained by processing theexperience information D05 is displayed intact on a liquid crystaldisplay element of the information reading display 12 or the like sothat the contents can be seen immediately on the spot.

In addition, in this example as well, the USB terminal 13 of theinformation reading display 12 and the personal computer 15 areconnected to each other using a communications cable. The experienceinformation D05 that cannot be processed on the information readingdisplay 12 is provided for communication processing. Of course, theinformation processed in audible type may be displayed on a CRT withwhich a personal computer is provided. In addition, an E-mail address ofthe information provider is extracted from the experience informationD05, and connection to the information provider is made by using thepersonal computer 15 via Internet so that more detailed information isobtained.

Now, an example of processing in the recording medium informationproviding system 500 will be described. In this example, it is presumedthat the information providing electronic parts 11 are attached to pricetags 19 of all recording media 203 displayed in advance at a recordshop; experience information D05 or the like associated with therecording media 203 is read from the information providing electronicparts 11 in an electromagnetic manner by using the hand held informationreading display 12; the experience information D05 recorded in a dataformat is processed by means of the personal computer 15 at home or inoffice. Of course, it is presumed that each media purchaser possessesthe information reading display 12.

With this being presumed, at step F1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 16,a medium purchaser determines whether or not desired informationconcerning recording media 203 is present at a record shop. Thisdetermination is made by the media purchaser. In the case where desiredinformation concerning recording media 203 is present, processing goesto step F2 at which the information reading display 12 is made close tothe price tag 19 or the like by each recording medium 203 correspondingto desired information. At this time, the information reading display 12and the information providing electronic parts 11 are coupled with eachother in an electromagnetic manner.

Then, processing goes to step F3 at which experience information D05 isread from the information providing electronic parts 11 of the recordingmedia 203, and is recorded in the information reading display 12. Then,processing goes to step F4 at which it is determined as to whether ornot all the desired information concerning the recording media 203 areread. This determination is made by the media purchaser. In the casewhere all the desired information concerning the recording media 203 isnot read, processing reverts to step F2 at which the information readingdisplay 12 is made close to the price tag 19 of the recording medium 203corresponding to desired information, and processing is repeated in thesame manner as above.

In the case where all the desired information concerning recording media203 is read, processing goes to step F5 at which experience informationD05 is processed by using the information reading display 12, andinformation of audible type is displayed intact on a liquid crystaldisplay element or the like so that the contents can be seen immediatelyon the spot.

Then, processing goes to step F6 at which the USB terminal 13 of theinformation reading display 12 and the personal computer 15 areconnected to each other using a communications cable, and the contentsof information processed by the information reading display 12 orexperience information D05 that cannot be processed there is transferredto the personal computer 15. At the personal computer 15, theinformation processed in audible type, for example, a video of anintroductory portion of a new release cinema according to the DVD isdisplayed on a provided CRT, and an E-mail address of an informationprovider is extracted from experience information D05 so that moredetailed information is obtained from the information provider viaInternet.

In this manner, according to the recording medium information providingsystem 500 of a fifth embodiment, experience information D05 is readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11 attached to recordingmedia 203 into the information reading display 12 brought at a recordshop, and a purchaser checks the experience information D05 so that thepurchase can purchase what he or she really wants.

Moreover, when a recording medium 203 is found to be faulty, a purchaserinquires a manufacturer directly from experience information D05 of therecording medium 203 by combining the second embodiment so that thepurchaser can know a method of handling the medium or ask forreplacement of the recording medium 203.

The recording media 203 may be VTR, book, or magazine without beinglimited to CD or DVD. The information providing electronic parts 11 areattached to these VTRs, books, or magazines and the like, a video of anintroductory portion of dynamic VTR information is shown, and the tableof contents or an introductory portion of a story are read by text inthe case of a book or magazine.

(7) Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 17 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring anexhibition information providing system 600 according to a sixthembodiment.

In this example, it is presumed that information providing electronicparts 11 are attached to exhibited materials concerning an entity 2 inmuseum or in art gallery; and exhibition information is recorded in theinformation providing electronic parts 11. The exhibition informationcontains: the name of the exhibited material; picture guidanceinformation associated with the exhibited material; information onphotographic conditions; and voice information on artists or models. Inthis system, exhibition information is read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 attached to the exhibited materials bymeans of the information reading display 12 brought into museum or artgallery so that the exhibition information is checked by the informationreading display 12. In the case where an information user has differentinterest with the exhibited material, while the exhibition informationis read in the information reading display 12, the purchaser brings thedisplay back home or office, transfers the exhibition information to apersonal computer 15 or the like so as to perform display processing orthe like.

In an exhibition information providing system 600 shown in FIG. 17, theinformation providing electronic parts 11 described in the firstembodiment are attached to all exhibited materials 204 such as pictures,photographs . . . displayed in museum or in art gallery. Then,exhibition information D06 associated with the exhibited materials 204is read from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner by using a hand held information reading display12. Thereafter, the exhibition information D06 recorded in a data formatis processed on the spot or by means of the personal computer 15 at homeor in office, and is converted to information of audible type.

The information providing electronic parts 11 have been described withreference to FIG. 4. In the information providing electronic parts 11,for example, there are recorded the name of the exhibited material 204;picture guidance information associated with the exhibited material 204;information on photographic conditions; voice information on artists ormodels or the like. The exhibited materials 204 with the informationproviding electronic parts are displayed in museum or in art gallery inorder to provide information associated with these exhibited materials204 to a user.

The information providing electronic parts 11 are attached to titlebulletin boards 29 or the like near the exhibited materials 204 such aspictures or photographs, for example, by an information provider. Ofcourse, the information providing electronic parts 11 may be attached tothe insides of frames of the exhibited materials 204 or may be stored ina card format as an attached material in the title bulletin board 29 ofthe exhibited material 204. In order to emphasize the mount location(presence) of the information providing parts 11, an indicationindicative of the presence is given on the surface of the title bulletinboard 29.

The contents of records into the information providing electronic parts11 in this system 600 include, for example, the price of the exhibitedmaterial 204, information associated with artist; telephone number ofcontact concerning the exhibited material 204 or the like. Of course,for an information user who wants to obtain more detailed informationconcerning the exhibited material 204, an E-mail address of theinformation provider as well as telephone number is recorded in theinformation providing electronic parts 11.

In this exhibition information providing system 600 as well, the handheld information reading display 12 described in the first embodiment isused as a hand held terminal device with its information readingfunction. The contents of this configuration have been described in thefirst embodiment, and thus, a duplicated description thereof is omittedhere. In this example as well, the information reading display 12 andthe information providing electronic parts 11 are coupled with eachother in an at least electromagnetic manner, and exhibition informationD06 is read from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner so as to be recorded in a data format.

This information reading display 12 is provided so that an informationuser possesses it individually. In a method for mounting the informationreading display 12, as described in the first to fifth embodiments, theinformation reading display 12 is made close to the informationproviding electronic parts 11, whereby exhibition information D06 isread from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner.

As described in the first embodiment, this information reading display12 incorporates a non-volatile memory that records exhibitioninformation D06 or the like of the exhibited material arbitrarily readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11. The exhibitioninformation D06 is not erased even if a power supply is turned OFF. Inthis example, the exhibition information D06 is processed by means ofthe information reading display 12, and is converted into information ofaudible type. The information obtained by processing the exhibitioninformation D06 is displayed intact by a liquid crystal display elementor the like of the information reading display 12 so that the contentscan be seen or listened to immediately on the spot.

In this example as well, the USB terminal 13 of the information readingdisplay 12 and a personal computer 15 at home or in office are connectedto each other by using a communications cable. Then, the contents ofinformation processed by the information reading display 12 or theexhibition information D06 that cannot be processed there are providedfor communication processing. Of course, the information processed intoaudible type may be displayed on a CRT with which a personal computer isprovided. In addition, an E-mail address of an information provider isextracted from the exhibition information D06, and connection to theinformation provider is made via Internet by using the personal computer15 so that more detailed information is obtained.

Now, an example of processing in the exhibition information providingsystem 600 will be described here. In this example, it is presumed thatthe information providing electronic parts 11 are attached to the titlebulletin boards 29 of all the exhibited materials 204 displayed inadvance in museum or art gallery; exhibition information D06 or the likeassociated with the exhibited material 204 is read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner by using ahand held information reading display 12; and the exhibition informationD06 recorded in a data format is processed by the personal computer 15at home or in office. Of course, it is presumed that each informationuser possesses the information reading display 12.

With this being presumed, at step G1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 18,an information user determines whether or not desired informationconcerning an exhibited material 204 is present in museum or in artgallery. This determination is made by the information user. In the casewhere desired information concerning the exhibited material 204 ispresent, processing goes to step G2 at which the information readingdisplay 12 is made close to the title bulletin board 29 by eachexhibited material 204 corresponding to the desired information. At thistime, the information reading display 12 and the information providingparts 11 are coupled with each other in an electromagnetic manner.

Then, processing goes to step G3 at which the exhibition information D06is read from the title bulletin board 29 of the exhibited material 204,and is stored in the information reading display 12. Together with this,the exhibition information D06 is processed by using the informationreading display 12. The information of audible type is displayed intacton the liquid crystal display element or the like so that the contentsare seen or listened to immediately on the spot. An automatic guidingfunction in museum or art gallery can be used in this informationreading display 12.

Then, processing goes to step G4 at which it is judged as to whether ornot all the desired information concerning the exhibited material 204 isread. This determination is made by an information user. In the casewhere all the desired information concerning the exhibited material 204is not read, processing reverts to step G2 at which the informationreading display 12 is made close to the title bulletin board 29 of theexhibited material 204 corresponding to the desired information so as torepeat processing in the same manner as the above.

In the case where all the desired information concerning the exhibitedmaterial 204 is read, processing goes to step G5 at which it isdetermined as to whether or not the information reading display 12 andthe personal computer 15 or the like are linked with each other at homeor in office. This determination is made by an information user.

In the case where this information reading display 12 and the personalcomputer 15 or the like are linked with each other, processing goes tostep G6 at which the USB terminal 13 of the information reading display12 and the personal computer 15 are connected to each other by using acommunications cable, and the contents of information processed by theinformation reading display 12 or the exhibition information D06 thatcannot be processed there is read by the personal computer 15. At thepersonal computer 15, the information processed in audible type at stepG7, for example, a profile video of an artist of the exhibited material204 is displayed on the provided CRT. In addition, an E-mail address ofan information provider is extracted from the exhibition information D06so that more detailed information is obtained from the informationprovider via Internet.

In this manner, according to the exhibition information providing system600 of the sixth embodiment, the exhibition information D06 is read fromthe information providing electronic parts 11 attached to the exhibitedmaterial 204 by means of the information reading display 12 brought intomuseum or art gallery, and the exhibition information D06 can be checkedby the personal computer 15 at home.

Moreover, in the case where a purchaser wants to purchase the exhibitedmaterial 204, the purchaser directly inquires the owner of the copyrightfrom the exhibition information D06 of the exhibited material 204 bycombining the second embodiment so that the information such aspurchasing method can be obtained. The exhibited material 204 may be acopyright material such as sword, sculpture, or ceramic art withoutbeing limited to picture or photograph. The information providingelectronic parts 11 are attached to the title bulletin board 29 such asthese copyright materials; and the information associated with the priceor artist of the copyright material or telephone number of contactconcerning the copyright material or the like is recorded so that theseitems of information can be easily obtained.

(8) Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 19 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring acommodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system 700 accordingto a seventh embodiment.

In this exemplified system, information providing electronic parts 11are attached to prominent commodities concerning an entity 2; and iteminformation is recorded in the information providing electronic parts11. When the genuineness or counterfeit of the commodity must bediscriminated, item information is read by the information readingdisplay 12 from the information providing electronic parts 11 attachedto the commodity. Then, the item information is fetched from theinformation reading display 12 to a personal computer of an governmentalauthority so as to discriminate the genuineness or counterfeit of thecommodity. The item information includes the name of the commodity;manufacturer associated with the commodity; manufacturer specific codeinformation; manufacturing information; quality inspection informationor the like.

In the commodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system 700shown in FIG. 19, the information providing electronic parts 11described in the first embodiment are attached to prominent commoditiessuch as bag, luggage, shoes or the like. When the genuineness orcounterfeit of the commodity must be discriminated, item information D07associated with the prominent commodity 205 is read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner by using aninformation reading display 12 so that the item information D07 recordedin a data format can be discriminated by a personal computer 85 such asgovernmental authority.

The information providing electronic parts 11 have been described withreference to FIG. 4. In the information providing electronic parts 11,there are recorded, for example, the name and manufacture of theprominent-commodity 205, manufacturer, manufacturing information,quality inspection information, origin or the like. The informationproviding electronic parts 11 are mounted or sewn to hand bag, luggage,shoes or the like by a commodity manufacturer. In order to preventillegality, the information providing electronic parts 11 may be sewn tothe inside of the commodity so as to be easily seen from the outsidethereof.

At this time, although the information providing electronic parts 11having item information D07 recorded therein may be built in genuinenessfrom the beginning, the information providing electronic parts 11 havingnothing recorded therein are built in genuineness, and then, iteminformation D07 may be recorded by using a specific informationrecording device at the time of shipment.

In addition, although the information providing electronic parts 11 aregenerally created in a rectangular shape, these electronic parts may beformed in an optimal shape coincident with an mount region site withoutbeing limited thereto. The information providing electronic parts 11 iscomposed of an IC chip 16 and an antenna body 17 as shown in FIG. 4, andthis antenna body 17 may be formed in a circular shape, an ellipticalshape, or a gourd shape. The antenna body 17 can be freely deformed. Theprominent commodities 205 with the information providing electronicparts are distributed in Japan, is exported outside Japan, or isimported to Japan.

The contents of records into the information providing electronic parts11 in this system 700 include, for example, the aforementioned contents;the price of the commodity 205; telephone number of contact concerningthe commodity 205 or the like. Of course, for an information user whowants to obtain more detailed information concerning the commodity 205,an E-mail address of a commodity manufacturer as well as telephonenumber is recorded in the information providing electronic parts 11.

In this commodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminating system 700as well, the information reading display 12 described in the firstembodiment is used as a hand held terminal device with its informationread function. The contents of this configure has been described in thefirst embodiment, and thus, a duplicate description thereof is omitted.In this example as well, the information reading display 12 and theinformation providing electronic parts 11 are coupled with each other inan at least electromagnetic manner, and item information D07 is readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11 to the informationreading display 12 in an electromagnetic manner so as to be recorded ina data format.

This information reading display 12 is provided so as to be possessed byassociated authorities such as custom. In a method for handing theinformation reading display 12, as described in the first to sixthembodiments, the information reading display 12 is made close to theinformation providing electronic parts 11, whereby item information D07is read from the information providing electronic parts 11 in anelectromagnetic manner. As described in the first embodiment, theinformation reading display 12 incorporates a non-volatile memory, andthe item information D07 or the like of the commodity 205 arbitrary readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11 are recorded. Thisitem information D07 is not erased from a memory even if a power supplyis turned OFF.

In this example, the USB terminal 13 of the information reading display12 and a personal computer 85 are connected to each other by using acommunications cable. Then, item information D07 is transferred from theinformation reading display 12 to the personal computer 85, and thisitem information D07 is discriminated in the personal computer 85. Atthe personal computer 85, the item information D07 of genuineness isrecorded as an expected value. At the personal computer 85, the iteminformation D07 from the information reading display 12 and the expectedvalue are compared with each other concerning a problematic commodity.

As the result of comparison, in the case where the item information D07displayed on the information reading display 12 coincides with anexpected value of the personal computer 85, the commodity is provided tobe regarded as genuineness. In the case where the item information D07displayed by the information reading display 12 does not coincide withthe expected value of the personal computer 85, the commodity isprovided to be regarded as a counterfeit brand.

In the case where they do not coincide with each other, in the casewhere item information D07 cannot be read from a problematic commodity,information like item information D07 can be read from the commodity,and the contents are completely different. In the case where theycoincide with each other, processing goes to analysis processing. Theseresults of discrimination are displayed on a CRT with which a personalcomputer is provided. Item information D07 is processed into informationof audible type by means of the information reading display 12 so thatthe thus processed information may be displayed intact by the liquidcrystal display element or the like of the information reading display12. The contents of display can be checked immediately on the spotduring export or import check.

Now, an example of processing in the commodity genuineness orcounterfeit discriminating system 700 will be described here. In thisexample, it is presumed that information providing electronic parts 11are attached to the prominent commodity 205; item information D07 or thelike associated with the commodity 205 is read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 in an electromagnetic manner by using theinformation read display 12; and the item information D07 recorded in adata format is discriminated by means of the personal computer 85. Ofcourse, it is presumed that genuineness or counterfeit checker possessesthe information reading display 12.

With this being presumed, at step H1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 20,when an governmental authority obtains information that a commodityimported from a country that is not an origin, for example, is suspectedto be counterfeit, it is determined as to whether the commodity isgenuine or counterfeit. This determination is made by the associatedauthority such as custom. In the case where it is determined that thegenuineness or counterfeit must be discriminated, processing goes tostep H2 at which information reading display 12 is made close to each ofall the targeted export commodities (hereinafter, referred to as atarget commodity). At this time, if the target commodity is genuineness(prominent commodity) 205, the information reading display 12 and theinformation providing electronic parts 11 are coupled with each other inan electromagnetic manner.

Then, processing goes to step H3 at which item information D07 is readfrom the information providing electronic parts 11 of the prominentcommodity 205, and is stored in the information reading display 12. Atthis time, item information D07 is discriminated by utilizing a displayfunction of the information reading display 12, and the information ofaudible type or the like is displayed on a liquid crystal displayelement or the like so that the contents can be seen immediately on thespot.

Then, processing goes to step H4 at which it is determined as to whetheror not all the item information D07 concerning a target commodity isread. This determination is made by genuineness or counterfeit checker.In the case where all the item information D07 concerning a targetcommodity is not read, processing goes to step H2 at which theinformation reading display 12 of the commodity 205 of item informationD07 is made close to the commodity so that processing is repeated in thesame manner as the above.

In the case where all the item information D07 of these targetcommodities is read, processing goes to step H5 at which the USBterminal 13 of the information reading display 12 and the personalcomputer 85 are connected to each other by using a communications cable,and the contents of information processed by the information readingdisplay 12 or item information D07 that cannot be processed there areread on the personal computer 85. At step H6, the item information D07from the information reading display 12 concerning a target commodity iscompared with an expected value by means of the personal computer 85.

As the result of comparison, in the case where the item information D07displayed by the information reading display 12 coincides with anexpected value of the personal computer 85, the commodity is regarded asgenuineness. In the case where the item information D07 displayed by theinformation reading display 12 does not coincide with an expected valueof the personal computer 85, the commodity is regarded as counterfeitbrand. In the case of partial coincidence, manufacturer specific encodeinformation may differ, and thus, processing goes to analysisprocessing. These discrimination results are displayed on a CRT withwhich the personal computer is provided.

In this manner, according to a commodity genuineness or counterfeitdiscriminating system 700 of the seventh embodiment, item informationD07 is read from the information providing electronic parts 11 attachedto the prominent commodity 205 to the information reading display 12 sothat the item information D07 can be discriminated by the personalcomputer 85 at the governmental authority.

Therefore, distribution of counterfeit brand can be preventedimmediately before such brand is imported. As a result, genuineness canbe protected and guaranteed. The crackdown of counterfeit can befacilitated by the information providing electronic parts 11, andcustomer management based on the information providing electronic parts11 or history management of genuineness can be performed. Theinformation providing electronic parts 11 can be used in the same way asthe written warrant of the prominent commodity.

In this example, although a hand held information reading display 12 isexemplified, a specific stationary counterfeit discriminating devicehaving its information read function and data processing function of thepersonal computer 85 can be configured. Item information D07 may containa serial number, shop information or the like without being limited tothe name of the commodity, encode information, manufacturer,manufacturing information, quality inspection information or the like.

(9) Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 21 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring aninformation processing system 800 according to an eighth embodiment.

In this information processing system 800, a monochrome bar code 21 isprovided as an information providing medium 1 at an arbitrary entity 2so that information D08 associated with the entity 2 is provided in anoptical manner. Like elements denoted by like reference numbers in thefirst embodiment have the same functions, and thus, a descriptionthereof is omitted. In the information processing system 800 shown inFIG. 21, a monochrome bar code 21 is provided as an informationproviding medium 1 capable of reading information in an optical manner.This bar code 21 is provided at an arbitrary entity 2 by the informationprovider. For example, a monochrome bar code 21 is attached to anarbitrary advertising material (hereinafter, referred to as “entity”)attached to station concourse, in train, at cinema, on street bulletinboard or the like.

In this example, the bar code 21 is attached to the surface of theentity 2. Of course, in order to emphasize the mount location (presence)of the bar code 21, that portion may be emphasized. In the case wherethe entity 2 is provided as a commodity #i without being limited to theabove pasting method, the bar code 21 may be printed in that package orthe like simultaneously.

Although the information D08 associated with the entity 2 is stored asthe contents of records into this bar code 21, a small amount ofinformation is provided in comparison with the first to seventhembodiments. For example, in the case where the entity 2 is associatedwith an event, such event is given on the surface of the entity 2.Information D08 such as contact or E-mail address is recorded in the barcode 21 containing date and time, site, admission, traffic, contact orthe like.

In this information processing system 800, a hand held opticalinformation reading display 22 is used, and information is read from atleast the bar code 21 in an optical manner, and is recorded in a dataformat. This information reading display 22 is provided so that aninformation user possesses it individually. In this example, theinformation reading display 22 is scanned on the bar code 21, wherebyinformation D08 is read from the bar code 21 in an optical manner.

As in the first embodiment, a flash memory 42 that is shown as anexample of non-volatile storage means is provided at this informationreading display 22. In this memory, information arbitrary read from thebar code 21 is recorded. A USB terminal 13 is provided at thisinformation reading display 22; the personal computer 15 is connected byusing this USB terminal 13 or a communication cable (not shown), and theinformation D08 recorded in a data format is processed in audible type.

This optical information reading display 22, for example, has a bar codereading unit 23 that is shown as an example of an optical sensor shownin FIG. 22. A light emitting section 24 is provided at the reading unit23, and a beam-like laser light or the like is emitted. A lightreceiving section 25 is provided adjacent to this light emitting section24. When the laser light is emitted to a monochrome bar code 21, forexample, the reflection light reflected from that white pattern isreceived.

A SPU (signal processing unit) 28 is connected to this light receivingsection 25, and an optical detection signal obtained by reading themonochrome bar code 21 is digitally processed. Then, information D08such as inquiry associated with the entity 2 or E-mail address isdecoded. The decoding result is stored in a RAM contained in the SPU 28or in an external flash memory 42 and the like. With respect to this SPU28, a CPU (central processing unit) not shown is provided. Then,information D08 is processed in audible type, and is displayed intact ona liquid crystal display 55 so that the contents can be seen on thespot.

In this example, a read unit scanning and/or driving section 26 isprovided. While an information reading display 22 is made close to a barcode 21, the reading unit 23 can be scanned on the bar code 21. Ofcourse, in the case where no space for providing the scanning and/ordriving section 26 is provided because of a compacted informationreading display 22, the light emitting section 24 and the lightreceiving section 25 are allocated and fixed in the information readingdisplay 22 with its predetermined angle. The information reading display22 is scanned so that the information user traces on the bar code 21 ata constant speed. In this manner, information D08 can be optically read.

A power supply & control section. 27 is connected to the reading unit23, scanning and/or driving section 26, SPU 28, input tool 54, andliquid crystal display 55, and a DC power is supplied. A dry battery orcharge type battery is used for power supply.

Thus, according to the information processing system 800 of the eighthembodiment, an optically readable monochrome bar code 21 is attached toan arbitrary entity 2 by the information provider. By the informationuser, a hand held optical information reading display 22 is used asrequired, and information D08 is read from the bar code 21 in an opticalmanner, and is recorded. Then, information D08 read from the informationreading display 22 is processed into audible type by means of thepersonal computer 15 or the like.

Therefore, even in the case where the entity 2 cannot be seen carefully,a small amount of information is provided. As in the first embodiment,even if information D08 such as address or contact associated with theentity 2 is not written by pen or pencil, the information D08 can bestored in the information reading display 22 momentously. Thus, onereads the information D08 from the information reading display 22 to thepersonal computer at home so that one can see the information D08associated with the entity 2 or provide direct access to the companythrough Internet.

In addition, according to a monochrome bar code 21 of the presentinvention, as in the first to seventh embodiments, information D08associated with the entity 2 can be read freely as many times as onelikes by means of an optical information reading display 22. Inaddition, as in the first embodiment, the information D08 can betransmitted publicly as if a large amount of handbills were distributed.Moreover, as in the first embodiment, there is no need to preparehandbills in advance, and these hand bills are not disposed illegally onstreet, which leads to street beatification,

In this example, although a case of the monochrome bar code 21 has beendescribed with respect to an information providing medium, such bar codemay be a two-dimensional code to which a monochrome patch is applied ina checkered pattern or toothless shape.

(10) Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 23 is an imaginary view showing an example of configuring aninformation processing system 900 according to a ninth embodiment.

In this example, a magnetic tape 31 is provided as an informationproviding medium 1 at an entity 2 so that information D09 associatedwith the entity 2 is magnetically provided. Like elements denoted bylike reference numbers in the first embodiment have their samefunctions, and thus, a duplicate description thereof is omitted here. Atthe information processing system 900 shown in FIG. 23, there isprovided a sheet-like magnetic tape (magnetic information sheet) 31capable of magnetically reading information. This magnetic tape 31 isprovided at an arbitrary entity 2 by the information provider. Forexample, the sheet-like magnetic tape 31 is attached to an arbitraryadvertising material attached at station concourse, in train, at cinema,on street bulletin board or the like. Of course, this magnetic tape 31may be formed of a resin substrate such as magnetic card.

In this example, the magnetic tape 31 is attached to the surface of theentity 2. Of course, in order to emphasize the mount location (presence)of the magnetic tape 31, an indication to emphasize that portion may begiven. As the contents of records into this magnetic tape 31, there isstored information D09 associated with the entity 2. For example, as inthe first embodiment, in the case of an advertising material associatedwith an event, the entity 2 is given on the surface of that advertisingportion. Information D09 such as date and time, site, administration,traffic, contact, or E-mail address is recorded in the magnetic tape 31.

In this information processing system 900, a hand held magneticinformation reading display 32 is used, and information D09 ismagnetically read from at least the magnetic tape 31, and is recorded ina data format. This information reading display 32 is provided so thatan information user possesses it individually. In this example, theinformation reading display 32 is scanned on the magnetic tape 31,whereby information D09 is read from the magnetic tape 31.

As in the first embodiment, a flash memory 42 that is shown as anexample of non-volatile storage means is provided at this informationreading display 32, and information arbitrary read from the magnetictape 31 is recorded. A USB terminal 13 is provided at this informationreading display 32. A personal computer 15 is connected by using thisUSB terminal 13 or a communications cable (not shown), and theinformation D09 recorded in the data format is processed in audibletype.

This magnetic information reading display 32 has a magnetic sensor 23shown in FIG. 24, for example. A magnetic head (not shown) is providedat a magnetic sensor 33. When the magnetic sensor 33 is scanned on asheet-like magnetic tape 31, information D09 is reproduced from themagnetic tape 31. In this example, the information reading display 32 isscanned so that an information user traces on the magnetic tape 32 at aconstant speed. In this manner, information D09 can be readmagnetically.

A SPU (signal processing unit) 38 is connected to this magnetic sensor33; a magnetic detection signal obtained by reading the magnetic tape 31is digitally processed; and information D09 associate with the entity 2is decoded. The decoding result is stored in a RAM contained in the SPU38 or an external flash memory 42. With respect to this SPU 38, a CPU(central processing unit) not shown is provided; and information D09 isprocessed into audible type, and is displayed intact on a liquid crystaldisplay 55 so that the contents can be seen on the spot. A power supply& control unit 37 is connected to the magnetic sensor 33, SPU 38, inputtool 54, and liquid crystal display 55, and a DC power is supplied. Adry battery or charge type battery is used for power supply.

Thus, according to an information processing system 900 of a ninthembodiment, a sheet-like magnetic tape 31 capable of magneticallyreading information D09 is attached to an arbitrary entity 2 by theinformation provider. By the information provider, information D09 ismagnetically read from the magnetic tape 31 by using a hand heldmagnetic information reading display 32 as required, and is recorded.Then, the information D09 read from the information reading display 32is processed into audible type by means of a personal computer 15 or thelike.

Therefore, even in the case where the entity 2 cannot be seen carefully,as in the first and second embodiment, information D09 such as addressor contact associated with the entity 2 can be stored in the informationreading display 32 momentously without need to write the information bypen or pencil. In this manner, in the case where the information readingdisplay 32 with its high throughput, information D09 is displayed on theliquid crystal display 55 on the spot. Even in the case of theinformation reading device 32 with its low throughput, a personalcomputer 15 is connected; and the information D09 is read from theinformation reading display 32 to the personal computer 15. Then, theinformation D09 associated with the entity 2 can be seen on a displaywith which a personal computer is provided or direct access to thecompany can be provided through Internet.

In addition, according to the magnetic tape 31 of the present invention,as in the first to eighth embodiments, information D09 associated withthe entity 2 can be read freely as many times as one likes by means of amagnetic information reading display 32. Further, as in the firstembodiment, the information D09 can be transmitted publicly as if alarge amount of handbills were distributed. Moreover, as in the firstembodiment, there is no need to prepare handbills or the like inadvance, these handbills are not disposed illegally on the street, thusleading to street beautification.

(11) Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are conceptual views each showing an example ofconfiguring a hand held cellular phone 401 with its information readfunction according to a tenth embodiment. FIG. 26 is a block diagramdepicting an internal configuration of the cellular phone.

In this example, an information is provided at a hand held cellularphone; information associated with the entity 2 is read in anelectromagnetic manner by using the information read function from theinformation providing medium 1 attached to an arbitrary entity 2; andthe information recorded in the data format is processed in audible typeso that the provided liquid crystal display element or the hand heldcellular phone 401 is connected to the personal computer 15 or the liketo enable information to be displayed.

The hand held cellular phone 401 shown in FIG. 25A is directed to acellular phone that reads information from the information providingelectronic parts 11 attached to an advertising material 201 as shown inFIG. 3, for example, and processes the information. A cap body 40 isengaged with the hand held cellular phone 401 so as to cover all or partof a cellular phone main body section 50. A speaker (microphone) 72 isprovided at this cap body 40, and there is provided a loop shapedantenna body 52 shown in FIG. 25B, the antenna body configuringinformation read means; and there is provided a modulation/demodulationcircuit IC51′ and high frequency generating circuit IC58′ so as toenable communication with the information providing electronic parts 11attached to the entity 2 (not shown). This antenna body 52 consists ofan antenna pattern by about three turns as described in the firstembodiment.

The antenna body 52 of the hand held cellular phone 401 shown in FIG.25A is coupled with an antenna body 17 of the previously describedinformation providing electronic parts 11 shown in FIG. 4 in anelectromagnetic manner, and is used in an electrically non-contactstate. Ten numeric keys 80 are provided at a cellular phone main bodysection 50. These ten numeric keys 80 consist of a “0” key (K0) to “9”key (K9); a symbol “#” key (K#); and a “*” key (K*) to be operated by anoperator.

In FIG. 26, a modulation and/or demodulation circuit 51 configuringinformation read means is connected to the aforementioned antenna 52.The information read means has at least the modulation/demodulationcircuit 51 configuring an information read and/or write IC circuitry51′; and an antenna body 52 so that information associated with theentity 2 is read from the information providing electronic parts 11 (notshown). For example, a modulation wave sent from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 is demodulated by using its demodulationfunction by means of the modulation/demodulation circuit 51. A data rowof information associated with the entity 2 read from the informationproviding electronic parts 11 by the hand held cellular phone 401 isdemodulated.

A high-frequency generating circuit 58 is connected to thismodulation/demodulation circuit 51; and a carrier signal having itsfrequency of 13.56 MHz is generated. This carrier signal is utilized asan electromagnetic field energy from the modulation/demodulation circuit51 to the information providing electronic parts 11 as described in FIG.6. A system bus 60 is connected to this modulation/demodulation circuit51. A CPU 49 is connected to the system bus 60; information afterdemodulated is displayed and controlled based on a predetermined controlprogram; and calling and called control according to a general telephonefunction is performed.

A key input interface 67 is connected to this system bus 60, and a tennumeric keys 80 provided at the cellular phone main body section 50 isconnected to the interface 67. A command is supplied to a CPU 49 byinputting operation using the ten numeric keys 80. For example, when aspecific ten numeric key K* is pressed several times, any of aninformation read and display mode or a general telephone mode can beselected.

Here, an information read and display mode denotes a function forreading information by superimposing a cap body 40 of this hand heldcellular phone 40 on information providing electronic parts 11; and ageneral telephone mode denotes a general telephone function other thaninformation read and display mode. When the information read and displaymode is set, for example, information reading is started by pressing thekey K#. An end display may be made when all information has been read.After information reading has completed, an operation is made such thatthe telephone mode is restored by pressing the key K* once. In thetelephone mode, when the ten numeric key K1, K2, . . . K0 is operated,the key data D1 associated with the counterpart telephone number can beinputted.

A jog dial 65 is provided at this hand held cellular phone 401. This jogdial 65 is connected to a system bus 60 through an input interface 46for use in search for the counterpart telephone number and search forinformation read from the information providing electronic parts 11. Inthis example, when the jog dial 65 is operated, display command data D6is generated.

A display controller 44 and a video RAM 45 are connected to this systembus 60, and a liquid crystal display 66 with some tens ×some hundreds ofpixels is connected to this display controller 44. Demodulatedinformation output from the modulation/demodulation circuit 51, key dataD1 output from a key input interface 67, and display content data D2 aretemporarily stored in this video RAM 45.

The display controller 44 reads information from video RAM 45; key dataD1; and display content data D2, and the liquid crystal display 66 iscontrolled to be displayed based on these items of information or data.For example, in the case of vertically searching a list of informationread from the information providing electronic parts 11 on the displayscreen of the liquid crystal display 66 or a list of the counterparttelephone numbers, a liquid crystal display 66 is controlled to bedisplayed by means of the display controller 44 so that these lists aremoved from downward to upward on the display screen based on displaycommand data D6 generated by operation of the jog dial 65.

In this example, the display is controlled to be displayed so that thedisplay contents on the display screen moves in a direction in which thejog dial 65 is rotated. Information read from the information providingelectronic parts 11 can be checked by being displayed on the liquidcrystal display 65.

In addition, a ROM 41 is connected to the system bus 60, and a controlprogram for controlling a telephone mode and an information read anddisplay mode or the like is stored. A flash memory 42 that is shown asan example of non-volatile storage means is connected to the system bus60 so as to store the information read by information read means.Further, the user telephone number (ID number) or the like is recordedat a local station. A working DRAM 43 is connected to this system bus60; and there is temporarily recorded demodulated information, key dataD1, Internet information D3, or display command data D6 for commandingthe contents of the display screen to be commanded.

A backup RAM (non-volatile memory) 47 is connected to the system bus 60.A backup battery E is connected to a backup RAM 47. A quartz crystaloscillating element 48A is connected to a timer 48 that shares thebackup RAM 47 and the backup battery E, and time data D5 such as year ordate and time is output.

In addition, a transmission and reception information processing section71 is connected to the system bus 60. A microphone 72 that is a speakeris connected to the transmission and reception information processingsection 71; and a user's voice is recorded based on the transmission andis reception processing data D7 from the CPU 49. Then, amplificationprocessing or the like is performed by the transmission and receptioninformation processing section 71, and the amplified data is output toan RF processing section 73. At the RF processing section 73, the user'svoice is converted into a radio frequency signal, and a radio electricwave is irradiated from an antenna 77.

The counterpart radio electric wave received at this antenna 77 isdemodulated into a voice frequency signal by means of the RF processingsection 73, and then, amplification processing or the like is performedby the transmission and reception information processing section 71, andthe amplified data is output to a speaker 54 that is a cellular phonereceiver. In this manner, the user can communicate with the counterpart.

In addition, a touch panel interface 75 may be provided at the systembus 60 to ensure pen input. In this case, a touch panel 78 needs to beon the screen of the liquid crystal display 66. Further, in thisexample, the external device USB terminal 13, IC card interfaces 79 eachhaving sockets 79A and 81A, and external device interface 81 areconnected to the system bus 60 so that information processing using theexternal personal computer, external IC card, and communications modemcan be expanded.

Of course, a power supply section 83 is connected to these functionprocessing circuits, and an operation for connection to the counterparttelephone line is performed after a power switch SW has been turned ON.Even if the power switch SW is not turned ON, the buzzer from thecounterpart is sounded by the backup battery E.

Now, a description will be given to an example of processing in a handheld cellular phone 401 with its information read function according toa tenth embodiment.

In this example, it is presumed that at this hand held cellular phonethere are provided at least a modulation/demodulation circuit 51, anantenna body 52, a high-frequency wave generating circuit 58, and a USBterminal 13 which achieve an information read function; from informationproviding electronic parts 11 attached to an arbitrary entity 2, theinformation associated with the entity 2 is read in an electromagneticmanner by using the information read function; and then, the informationrecorded in a data format is processed into audible type inside of thehand held cellular phone or is processed by the external personalcomputer 15 or the like.

With this being presumed, in the case where information is read from theinformation providing electronic parts 11 of the entity 2 shown in FIG.1, a cap body 40 is first opened from the cellular phone main bodysection 50. Then, an information read and display mode is set bypressing a specific key K* or the like several times. In this manner, acontrol program associated with the information read and display mode isread from ROM 41 to CPU 49, and the mode is executed. Thereafter, thecap body 40 of the hand held cellular phone 401 is made close toinformation providing electronic parts 11 to be superimposed with eachother. At this time, there is no need for both of them to be broughtinto contact with each other. Depending on the strength ofelectromagnetic field energy, they are made close to each other withinthe range of 10 cm, for example, whereby they are coupled with eachother in an electromagnetic manner.

In this state, when a key K# is pressed, information reading is started.In a hand held cellular phone, a carrier signal of 13.65 MHz isgenerated by means of a high-frequency generating circuit, and is outputto an antenna body 52 through a modulation/demodulation circuit 51. Thiscarrier signal is used to be demodulated by means of amodulation/demodulation circuit 51, and is used as a power supply toinformation providing electronic parts 11. A modulation wave sent fromthe information providing electronic parts 11 activated by this powersupply to the hand held cellular phone 401 is demodulated by using thedemodulation function of the modulation/demodulation circuit 52. Forexample, a data row of information associated with the entity 2 isdemodulated, the information being sent from the information providing.electronic parts 11 to the hand held cellular phone 401. Thisinformation after demodulated is temporarily stored in a flash memory42, DRAM 47 or V-RAM 45. Of course, information reading end flag isdetected, and the end display may be made on the liquid crystal display66 after all the information has been read. After information readinghas been completed, an operation is made such that a telephone mode isrestored by pressing a key K* once.

{circle around (1)} When the Contents of Information is Seen on the Spot

This hand held cellular phone 401 is provided so as to enable search forthe counterpart telephone number and search for information read fromthe information providing electronic parts 11 or the like by using a jogdial 65. Of course, information is processed into audible type by meansof CPU 49 and video RAM 45. For example, after information has beenconverted into characters or symbols, image data is produced. Then, asin the case of search for the counterpart telephone number, the jog dial65 is operated, and display command data D6 is output to the displaycontroller 44 or V-RAM 45 through an input interface 46 and a system bus60.

A liquid crystal display 66 of several tens x several hundreds of pixelsis connected to this display controller 44 so that the display iscontrolled based on image data (information) after processed from thevideo RAM 45; key data D1 outputted from a key input interface 67; andthe display content data D2. For example, image data caused byinformation read from the information providing electronic parts 11 isdisplayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 66 so thatthe contents can be checked on the spot.

At this time, when past information remains as update historyinformation on lists, these information lists can be searched for byoperation of the jog dial 65. In this manner, information read from theentity 2 such as advertising material attached to station concourse byusing the information read and display function of the hand heldcellular phone 401, and the information can be displayed on the liquidcrystal display in train so that the read information can be seencarefully.

{circle around (2)} When Information is Checked by External InformationProcessing Unit

For example, the hand held cellular phone 401 and personal computer 15are connected to each other by using the USB terminal 13 andcommunications cable at home, and information is read from this handheld cellular phone 401. Information associated with the entity 2 isdisplayed on a display with which a personal computer is provided.

Therefore, information such as address or contact associated with theentity 2 can be recorded in a flash memory 42 or the like in a hand heldcellular phone momentously by means of the hand held cellular phone 401with the information read and display function without depending on thespecific information reading displays 12, 22, and 32 described in thefirst to ninth embodiments.

Moreover, information associated with the entity 2 read from the flashmemory 42 can be processed by utilizing a telephone function any time.In this manner, the information can be transferred to an acquaintance inthe early stage. Even if the information is not written by pen orpencil, the information is read from the hand held cellular phone 401 toa personal computer 15 or the like in another place so that theinformation associated with the entity 2 can be seen on the liquidcrystal display 66 or admission tickets can be reserved or purchaseddirectly from the company being the entity 2 through Internet.

According to this hand held cellular phone 401, data format informationcan be acquired. Thus, the information on the entity 2 can be reviewedas many times as one likes without any visit to the advertising site ofthe entity 2 again. As a result, a hand held cellular phone 401 or thelike with its electronic memo function can be provided.

As has been described, according to an information processing system,information is read from an information providing medium attached to anentity in an electromagnetic or optical manner by using a hand heldterminal device with its information read function. Then, informationassociated with the entity is read from the hand held terminal device tothe information processing unit, and is processed.

With this configuration, in the case where an information user attemptsto acquire information associated with the entity, the information canbe stored in a hand held cellular phone momentously. Then, informationis read from the hand held terminal device to the information processingunit so that information associated with the entity can be subjected todisplay processing, genuineness or counterfeit discriminationprocessing, voice output processing or the like. Therefore, theinformation processing system can be fully applied to an electronicadvertising system, a commodity genuineness or counterfeitdiscriminating system, a commodity business providing system or thelike.

According to a hand held cellular phone of the present invention, in thecase where information is read from an information providing mediumattached to an entity, and is processed, there is provided non-volatilestorage means, wherein information read from an information providingmedium of an entity is stored.

With this configuration, information associated with an entity read fromstorage means can be processed by utilizing a telephone function anytime.

According to an information providing method of the present invention,information can be read in an electromagnetic or optical manner, aninformation providing medium for providing information associated withthe entity is attached to an entity; information is read from thisinformation providing medium in an electromagnetic or optical manner,and is recorded; and then, the recorded information is read andprocessed.

With this configuration, in the case where an information user attemptsto acquire information associated with the entity, the information canbe read in an electromagnetic or optical manner momentously. Moreover,information associated with the entity can be utilized even without theinformation being written by pen or pencil as many time as one likes.

The present invention is very preferable by being applied to anelectronic advertising system, a commodity selling system, a commodityinformation providing system, a food information providing system, arecording medium information providing system, an exhibition informationproviding system, a commodity genuineness or counterfeit discriminatingsystem and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing system comprising: aninformation providing medium attached to an object, said informationproviding medium having an IC chip for storing information correspondingto the object and a first antenna connected to the IC chip; and acellular phone having a second antenna configured forelectro-magnetically interacting with the first antenna to obtain theinformation when the cellular phone is made close to the informationproviding medium, means for storing the obtained information in thecellular phone, an information reading unit for processing theinformation into an audible or visible form, a first means forrepresenting the processed information, and means for transmitting thestored information to additional devices.
 2. An information processingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein said representing means is adisplay for displaying the processed information.
 3. An informationprocessing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said object is anadvertising poster.
 4. The information processing system of claim 1,further comprising: an information processing unit, remote from thecellular phone, having means for receiving the stored information fromthe cellular phone, means for processing the received information intoan audible or visible form, and a second means for representing theprocessed information.
 5. The information processing system of claim 4,wherein the means for transmitting and receiving the stored informationcomprises an electrically conductive cable connecting the cellular phoneand the information processing unit.
 6. The information processingsystem of claim 4, wherein the means for transmitting and receiving thestored information comprises an RS23C interface.
 7. The informationprocessing system of claim 4, wherein the means for transmitting andreceiving the stored information comprises a USB interface.
 8. Theinformation processing system of claim 4, wherein the second means forrepresenting the processed information has a higher resolution than thefirst means.
 9. The information processing system of claim 4, whereinthe information processing unit further comprises means for connectingto the Internet.
 10. The information processing system of claim 1,wherein said object is a product.
 11. The information processing systemof claim 1, wherein the cellular phone further comprises means towirelessly supply power to the information providing medium.
 12. Acellular phone comprising: a telephone function; means for readinginformation stored in an information providing medium attached to anobject, said information providing medium having an IC chip storing theinformation corresponding to the object, and a first antenna connectedto the IC chip, said reading means having a second antenna configuredfor electro-magnetically coupling the first antenna to obtain the firstinformation when the cellular phone is made close to the informationproviding medium; means for processing the information into an audibleor visible form; and means for representing the processed information.13. The cellular phone of claim 12, further comprising means fortransmitting the stored information to additional devices.
 14. Aninformation processing method comprising: reading first informationstored in an information providing medium attached to an article ormaterial when a cellular phone is made close to the informationproviding medium, the reading being performed by electro-magneticallycoupling between a first antenna: connected with an IC chip included inthe information providing medium and a second antenna implemented in thecellular phone; processing the information into audible or visible formon the cellular phone; representing the processed information on thecellular phone; transmitting the information to an additional device;processing the information into audible or visible form on theadditional device; and representing the processed information on theadditional device.
 15. An information reading device comprising: a firstantenna configured to electro-magnetically interact with a secondantenna on an information providing medium and receive first informationincluding location information from the information providing mediumwhen the first antenna is placed close to the second antenna; a storageunit configured to store the first information received from theinformation providing medium; and a representing unit configured torepresent second information which is received based on the locationinformation included in the first information stored in the storageunit, wherein the information reading device is a cellular phone. 16.The information reading device according to claim 15, wherein theinformation reading device has a telephone function.
 17. The informationreading device according to claim 15, wherein the information providingmedium is attached to an object; and the first information iscorresponding to the object.
 18. The information reading deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein the object is an advertising poster. 19.The information reading device according to claim 15, further comprisesan information process unit configured to process the first informationstored in the storage unit.
 20. The information reading device accordingto claim 19, wherein the information process unit processes the firstinformation into an audible or visible form.
 21. The information readingdevice according to claim 15, wherein the information reading device isconfigured to run in a first mode or a second mode; and the informationreading device is configured to receive the first information in thefirst mode.
 22. The information reading device according to claim 21,further comprises: an input unit, a mode of the information readingdevice switching from the first mode to the second mode according to anoperation on the input unit.
 23. The information reading deviceaccording to claim 22, wherein the input unit is a touch panel on therepresenting unit.
 24. The information reading device according to claim23, wherein the first antenna is configured to electro-magneticallyinteract with the second antenna via a carrier signal configured to havea frequency of 13.56 MHz.
 25. The information reading device accordingto claim 15, further comprises a communication unit configured toconnect to Internet.
 26. The information reading device according toclaim 15, wherein the representing unit is a display.
 27. Theinformation reading device according to claim 15, further comprises aninput unit, the information reading device being enabled to communicatewith the information providing medium according to an operation on theinput unit.
 28. The information reading device according to claim 27,wherein the input unit is a touch panel on the representing unit. 29.The information reading device according to claim 28, wherein therepresenting unit is a display.
 30. The information reading deviceaccording to claim 29, wherein the first antenna is configured toelectro-magnetically interact with the second antenna via a carriersignal configured to have a frequency of 13.56 MHz.
 31. The informationreading device according to claim 15, wherein the first antennaelectro-magnetically interacts with the second antenna by using acarrier signal having a frequency of 13.56 MHz.
 32. An informationreading method comprising: receiving electro-magnetically by a firstantenna of a cellular phone first information including locationinformation from an information providing medium which comprises asecond antenna when the first antenna is placed close to the secondantenna; storing the first information received from the informationproviding medium; and representing second information which is receivedbased on the location information included in the first informationstored in the storage unit.
 33. The information reading method accordingto claim 32, wherein the cellular phone is configured to run in a firstmode or a second mode; and further comprising: receiving the firstinformation in the first mode, switching from the first mode to thesecond mode according to an operation on an input unit of the cellularphone, wherein the input unit is a touch panel on the representing unit.34. The information reading method according to claim 33, wherein thereceiving electro-magnetically by the first antenna of the cellularphone further comprises: the first antenna electro-magneticallyinteracting via a carrier signal having a frequency of 13.56 MHz withthe second antenna.
 35. The information reading method according toclaim 32, further comprises: communicating by the cellular phone withthe information providing medium according to an operation on an inputunit of the cellular phone, wherein the input unit is a touch panel onthe representing unit, and wherein the representing unit is a display.36. The information reading method according to claim 35, wherein thereceiving electro-magnetically by the first antenna of the cellularphone further comprises: the first antenna electro-magneticallyinteracting via a carrier signal having a frequency of 13.56 MHz withthe second antenna.
 37. A non-transitory recording medium storing acomputer readable program that, if executed by a processor of acomputer, causes the processor to execute the steps of: receivingelectro-magnetically by a first antenna of a cellular phone firstinformation including location information from an information providingmedium which comprises a second antenna when the first antenna is placedclose to the second antenna; storing the first information received fromthe information providing medium; and representing second informationwhich is received based on the location information included in thefirst information stored in the storage unit.
 38. The non-transitoryrecording medium according to claim 37, wherein the cellular phone isconfigured to run in a first mode or a second mode; and the processorfurther executes: receiving the first information in the first mode,switching from the first mode to the second mode according to anoperation on an input unit of the cellular phone, wherein the input unitis a touch panel on the representing unit.
 39. The information readingmedium according to claim 38, wherein the receiving electro-magneticallyby the first antenna of the cellular phone further comprises: the firstantenna electro-magnetically interacting via a carrier signal having afrequency of 13.56 MHz with the second antenna.
 40. The non-transitoryrecording medium according to claim 37, the processor further executes:communicating by the cellular phone with the information providingmedium according to an operation on an input unit of the cellular phone,wherein the input unit is a touch panel on the representing unit, andwherein the representing unit is a display.
 41. The information readingmedium according to claim 40, wherein the receiving electro-magneticallyby the first antenna of the cellular phone further comprises: the firstantenna electro-magnetically interacting via a carrier signal having afrequency of 13.56 MHz with the second antenna.